Behavior in school buildings and buses has been a popular talking point in recent years with the large amount of behavioral incidents. (Photo by stu99/iStock Getty Images)

Misbehavior on school buses may become disorderly conduct offense

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Proposed legislation created in response to community complaints about school safety and discipline focuses on trouble in and with school buses. Senate Bill 330, sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Hockessin, adds intentional interference with the operation of a school bus to the offense of disorderly conduct.  RELATED: School Behavioral Infractions Remain Above 30000 Annually Infractions include: Boarding a school bus …

A new bill aims to legalize the sale of raw milk in Delaware. (Photo by Utah Natural Meat)

Got (raw) milk? Senators, farmers push to legalize sale

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

While the sale of raw milk in America is either illegal, restricted to on-farm purchases, or other limitations, a handful of states have it completely legal for retail sale, and a new bill could add Delaware to that group.  Some concerns of possible diseases and health defects might put that in jeopardy, although a couple legislators swore by the unpasteurized …

Natural, eco-friendly methods of burial have become more popular in recent years. (Photo by CBS News)

Delaware 8th state to legalize natural organic reduction

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A law that would put Delaware in a class with seven other states offering a unique burial method passed the Senate Thursday. House Bill 162, sponsored by Rep. Sean Lynn, D-Dover, opens the doors for cemeteries to begin offering increasingly-popular natural organic reduction after death. Natural organic reduction is the gentle, respectful process that accelerates the decomposition of human remains …

Until Thursday, the funding report was not detailed in the state legislature.

Legislators briefed on landmark school funding report

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Delaware’s lawmakers got their first taste Thursday of a landmark, 200-page report from the American Institutes for Research that suggested the state invest up to 50% more in public education.  The report was released in December at an event that only a few legislators attended, and on Thursday, it was introduced to the General Assembly in a joint House and …

The Division of Public Health had its Joint Finance Committee hearing Tuesday. (Photo by tashatuvango/Adobe Stock)

Public Health seeks $3.5 million more in 2025 state budget

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government, Health

Editor’s note: This report has been updated to reflect that Medicaid is not overseen by Public Health The Delaware Division of Public Health wants a 2025 budget of $167.4 million, but about $3.5 million of that is not in the governor’s recommended budget. That puzzled the chair of the state Joint Finance Committee, which writes the state budget. It’s in …

bills

Bills, issues that will be back before the General Assembly

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Since this year’s General Assembly session opened in January, hundreds of bills have passed,  from marijuana legalization to climate change regulations. Plenty are still waiting for the second half of the 152nd session of the Assembly, which begins in January. Minority Leader Mike Ramone, R-Pike Creek, said Republicans had several tax bills that they are going to introduce at the …

offshore wind

Offshore wind bill sent to Senate; will it hike power bills?

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A bill that requires DNREC to investigate offshore wind as a power source and work with electric companies to analyze its impact will head to the full Senate. Senate Bill 170, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, passed the Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee meeting Wednesday. SB 17 0 would require the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control …

ev

EV bills inch closer to law as GOP continues opposition

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Several energy-related bills waltzed through the House Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday, despite Republican opposition. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, would update the responsibilities of the State Energy Office to include developing the State Energy Plan, the state’s Climate Action Plan, and transitioning Delaware towards more renewable energy. The bill is a …

House session

Climate bill passes House after vote on two amendments

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Rep. Rich Collins on Tuesday begged House Democrats to join him in opposing a bill that set greenhouse gas emission limits in Delaware. “I have begged you to stand up one time and not just take this direction that apparently is so overwhelmingly powerful in this chamber,” the Millsboro Republican said. “And I know I’ve lost. I tell you it’s …

climate bills, DNREC Facebook

New climate bill would increase scope of energy agency

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

With several climate bills moving through the Delaware General Assembly, a new bill proposes to increase the scope and power of a DNREC energy agency, sort of a state government version of Toklien’s “one ring to rule them all.” Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, would empower the Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy to help oversee …