General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., March 13, 2019

Senate didn’t do much yesterday. Doesn’t look like they’ll do much today.  Yesterday’s scheduled agenda is still posted, but it doesn’t appear that the tobacco bill will be run today.  Since Sen. McBride was out sick yesterday, perhaps Sen. Poore was supposed to prepare today’s agenda. Mission not accomplished.  Take a look at what’s posted and decide for yourself. Well, I’m sure that Jobs For Delaware Graduates causes a tremendous imposition on her time.

Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report.  One notable bill introduced yesterday would ‘would eliminate from the Delaware Constitution the limitations as to when an individual may vote by absentee ballot.’ Unfortunately, the absentee ballot restrictions are in the State Constitution, so the bill takes the form of a constitutional amendment and will require passage in two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly. No time like the present.

Today’s committee highlights, starting with the Senate:

*Special license plates, they’re not just for cars any more. BTW, can anybody tell me the difference between motorcycle clubs and motorcycle gangs? Would the Thunderbirds be eligible for special license plates? Senate Transportation Committee.

*SB 17(Hansen) seeks to close a gap in the Federal Genetic Nondiscrimination Act. Specifically:

(P)atients who seek genetic counseling to determine whether they may be at risk for certain diseases, such as genetic testing for the BRCA gene to determine predisposition for breast and prostate cancers, are cautioned that a positive result could result in the person being denied insurance. The potential denial of insurance has a chilling effect on patients seeking genetic testing, blocking them from being proactive by putting in place a preventative care plan that would reduce the likelihood of them getting the specific disease in the future. This Act follows the lead of other states and prohibits discrimination based upon genetic characteristics and information in the issuance or renewal of disability and long term care insurance.

Well, that’s a good bill. Senate Banking, Business & Insurance Committee.

*SB 27(Walsh) ‘permits an individual employed by a personal assistance services agency to administer medications to an adult individual who resides in the individual’s own home…’ under specific circumstances. Senate Sunset Committee.

*OK, kids, whaddaya think about this one? SB 6(Pettyjohn) ‘establishes that State government offices are to close when a National Day of Mourning is declared due to the death of a current or former President.’  Me? Depends on the president. No day of mourning for Dubya or the Grifter-In-Chief. Or, for that matter, Slick Willie. Executive Committee.

Not bad, but the House is where most of today’s committee action is:

*The Few, The Loud, The NRA.  The ‘law-abidin’ citizens will likely be in Leg Hall to oppose HB 63(Lynn), which stipulates that ‘(u)nder the revised statute, a crime is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly stores or leaves a loaded firearm where a minor or other person prohibited by law, or “unauthorized person,” can access the firearm, and the unauthorized person obtains the firearm’.  In other words, if you carelessly let your kid get ahold of a firearm, you’re liable.  The NRA isn’t what it used to be, if it ever was.  Their scorched earth tactics far outpaced the actual size of their ‘army’.  Oh, and they’re probably currently underwritten by Russian rubles. House Judiciary Committee.

*It’s Election Reform Day in the House Administration Committee.  HB 38(Bentz) ‘establishes in-person early voting in Delaware beginning January 1, 2022. Registered voters will be allowed to vote in-person during at least 10 days before an election, up to and including the Saturday and Sunday immediately before the election at locations determined by the State Election Commissioner.’ HB 39(Viola) ‘provides for election day registration for presidential primary, primary, special, and general elections whereas currently the deadline is the fourth Saturday prior to the date of the election. Moreover, same day registration at polling places will be permitted with submission of valid government issued identification or other generally accepted proof of identification’. I wonder if a single R will vote for these bills. Rethugs know one thing: If everybody votes, they lose. Hence, restrictive voting laws allegedly addressing voter fraud. Which only exists in North Carolina Rethuglican circles, apparently. My prediction?: The bills pass both chambers w/o a single R voting for them.  The committee also considers the National Popular Vote Compact bill, which passed the Senate last week.

*HB 48(K. Williams), which is in the Education Committee:

…provides State funding to kindergarten through third grade for basic special education. State funding already occurs for intensive and complex special education during these grades. Currently the basic special education funding runs from fourth through twelfth grade. This bill is an effort to promote earlier identification and assistance for basic special education needs which should then mitigate costs over the long term.

We’re ultimately talking a state commitment of about $12 mill annually, so who knows where Gov. Green Eyeshade stands on this bill. Oh, wait, he’s not available for comment.

I’m not an expert on tax issues, so I invite y’all to comment on two bills relating to the Earned Income Tax Credit. HB 49(Baumbach) and HB 80(Baumbach). Revenue & Finance Committee.

With all the problems facing Delaware’s corrections systems, it’s reassuring to know that Steve Smyk is on the case.  He’s gonna make sure that those unmanned drones aren’t dropping contraband behind prison walls. Gee, I wonder if seized contraband will go into that police slush fund, aka SLEAF. Corrections Committee.

Finally, the impoverished racinos will be making presentations before the House Gaming & Parimutuels Committee. Tears will be shed.

No House Agenda today.

That’s a wrap.