Legislative Update

The last regular session day of the First Session of the 151^st General Assembly was June 30. Unlike last year, when legislative action was largely held to the budget bills and certain other essential legislation, this year saw a robust pace of legislating, first in virtual format and then with most legislators gathering in person in their respective chambers.  Committees met virtually, with the exceptions of the Joint Finance Committee and the Bond Bill Committee. The public was able to observe legislators in action as sessions were streamed and recorded. 

On the final day of session, Governor Carney signed the operating ($4.8 billion) capital ($1.3 billion), and grant-in-aid budget ($63.2 million) bills.  He also signed a $221 million supplemental appropriations bill which included one-time spending items.  The capital budget came to a record amount, nearly twice what was allocated last year.  This was made possible by revenue forecasts that projected roughly $823 million more than was expected.

Criminal justice reform, legislation increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2025, clean water infrastructure legislation, and criminal justice reform were among the major items passed by the General Assembly this year. It being the first session of a General Assembly, paid family and medical leave, recreational marijuana legalization, police reform measures and gun control bills that did not receive consideration this year will still be active bills when the legislature returns to regular session in January. 

Considerable credit is due to House and Senate leadership, committee chairs and the governor for successfully managing a legislative session in a year of unprecedented challenges. However, most if not all agree that a return to a Legislative Hall open to the public this coming January will be a welcome development.