Yeah, I understand. The Budget Bill and a Supplemental Appropriations bill will be considered today.
But the Big Story is that this may well be the day that Paul Baumbach realizes his crowning legislative achievement. I’m not sure how many years it’s been, but his ceaseless work on behalf of a Death With Dignity statute serves as a master class in the art of legislating. He made End Of Life options a cause, and he crusaded for it. He never gave up, was always seeking to broaden his coalition of support, and now stands on the precipice of seeing his hard work become reality. The bill, much like Baumbach himself, exudes empathy and humanity. HB 140 passed in the House by a 21-16 margin. Reps. Cooke and Matthews voted no, and the Wilmington delegation was absent. Pretty sure there was a funeral that day. I look for a more comfortable margin in the Senate today, and yes, I’ll be watching. A singular achievement from a Hall Of Fame-worthy legislator.
Rep. Baumbach also sponsors three bills designed to protect current and future state employee retirees. You can find them on today’s Senate Agenda as Consent Agenda X.
SB 195 (Pinkney) is a companion bill of sorts to HB 140:
The Delaware Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment “DMOST” was enacted in 2016 under HB 64 (148th). The DMOST form allows Delawareans to plan ahead for health-care decisions, express their wishes in writing, and both enable and obligate health care professionals to act in accordance with a patient’s expressed preferences.
This Act will improve the utilization of DMOST forms by health-care practitioners, health-care providers, emergency-care providers, and patients and their families by creating a DMOST Program at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS).
Yes, two budget bills will be considered today. Here they are: SB 325 and SB 326, both sponsored by Sen. Paradee and all of the members of the Joint Finance Committee. Don’t think I’ve heard any complaints about vital items being left out, so it looks like JFC did an excellent job.
For the most part, today’s House Agenda appears largely designed to pass as many House bills as possible so that they may be considered in the Senate before the end of Session. Which is as it should be.
You will spot the one notable exception at the very bottom of the House Agenda–SB 313 (Townsend). The controversial bill designed to protect Delaware’s preeminence when it comes to corporate law. While there may be a smattering of no votes, it will pass. Why? Because Delaware’s economy continues to rest on the deals the state makes with the Devil. It’s the same reason why the Trumps of this world can safely incorporate LLC’s with malign purposes here.
In addition to today’s session, the Bond Bill Committee will mark up the Capital Improvements bill today. Look for it on Tuesday’s agenda.