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Landlords could not require cats to be declawed under new bill

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Photo: Pixabay A bill released from the House Housing and Community Affairs Committee Wednesday would make it illegal for landlords to require tenants to have their cats declawed.Ā  Landlords would still be able to choose not to rent to tenants with pets.Ā  The billā€™s sponsor, Rep. Paul Baumbach, D-Newark, said the bill is necessary because the act of declawing is …

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Ruh-roh: Bill filed to fine barking dogs in Delaware

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Image: Getty Images Pro Delaware dog owners could soon be slapped with barking tickets if their pups donā€™t shut up. AĀ bill filed in the House of Representatives would ban dogs from terrierizing communities by barking, whining or howling for a period of 15 minutes ā€” or intermittently for 30 minutes or more. The bill is set to be considered by …

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Paid leave bill to be walked through House committee

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Healthy Delaware Families Act is expected to proceed to the House Appropriations Committee despite not receiving the requisite number of votes in the House Health and Human Development Committee Wednesday. Photo/Getty Images. The bill to create a statewide paid family and medical leave program faced a slight hiccup on its journey to becoming law Wednesday. The Healthy Delaware Families …

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Bill aims to reduce regulatory burden on small businesses

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A proposed bill in the House of Representatives would require state agencies to consider the burden new regulations would impose on businesses and take steps to minimize those impacts. Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, before adopting a new regulation, state agencies would be required to complete an economic impact statement. The statement would identify affected businesses, determine the cost of …

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State Representative calls $300 relief check a bribe

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The bipartisan proposal to give every adult Delawarean $300 in direct relief was formalized Friday after lawmakers filed the bill, which they dubbed the 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate Program.Ā  House Bill 360 will result in the issuance of a one-time payment to every Delaware resident taxpayer who filed personal income tax returns for tax year 2020, and adult residents who …

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House to hold committee hearings in hybrid format indefinitely

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware House of Representatives will conduct committee hearings in hybrid format indefinitely, Democratic leaders announced Thursday.Ā  The hybrid format allows members of the public to attend hearings and offer comments in-person, or from the comfort of their homes.Ā  During the pandemic, the General Assembly conducted the majority of its committee meetings and floor sessions virtually.Ā  The House and Senate …

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Smith, Kowalko both draft bills to create inspector general

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Two bills set to be filed in the General Assembly would create an inspector generalā€™s office in Delaware to investigate claims of waste, fraud, abuse and corruption within state government.Ā  Rep. Mike Smith, R-Pike Creek, said while Delaware already has a state auditor and attorney general, the inspector generalā€™s office would ā€œfill a gap in their coverage.ā€Ā Ā  ā€œThe inspector general …

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General Assembly votes to remove earnings cap on police, fire disability pay

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines, Police & Fire

The State Senate unanimously passed a bill Thursday to remove the cap on the amount of money a police officer or firefighter can earn when out of work on disability. All 21 senators signed on as co-sponsors.Ā  Under current law, when an officer or firefighter is out on disability, any earnings greater than that which they collected at the time …

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House to consider changes to redistricted maps

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The House of Representatives will consider a bill Thursday to make changes to the district boundaries agreed upon during the redistricting process last year. Redistricting occurs after the national census every ten years and redraws House and Senate districts to reflect population changes.Ā  The General Assembly finalized new district maps in late October, just days before a self-imposed deadline of …

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Six months from election, most candidates have yet to file

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

With just six months to go before the first votes are cast in the 2022 General Assembly elections, most incumbent state representatives and senators have yet to file for re-election. The current legislative session comes to an end in November, meaning all 21 Senate seats and 41 House seats will be up for grabs. Candidates must file by July 12 …