Legislative Information

 

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Watch for this special ALERT banner on blasts to the Membership (Pictured above).

For a complete list of the members of the DELAWARE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, click here.

MEMBER ALERTS and Important Legislative Information. Click on an item below to view.

 

Chamber Legislative Representative:

  • Lincoln Willis, The Willis Group, LLC

SPOTTED LANTERNFLY INFORMATION FROM DELAWARE DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE

Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) has been working closely with the public to slow the spread of the spotted lanternfly (SLF) since its introduction to Delaware in 2017. This exotic insect is a destructive fruit pest, that threatens Delaware agriculture and forests. All life stages of SLF can be easily and unknowingly shipped in or on trucks, trailers, cargo, plant material, and many other organic or inorganic material. Because of the high risk of spread, DDA has placed a quarantine on New Castle and Kent County to regulate the movement of SLF life stages for business traveling in or out of the quarantine zones.

DDA now requires a permit for businesses moving supplies in and/ or out of quarantine zones.  To obtain a permit, please visit de.gov/hitchikerbug and look for the “quarantine and permitting” link. You or a designee will be asked to take the SLF training and test and agree to train all employees on how to slow the spread. All proof of employee training and inspections of cargo, and transportation modes traveling in or out of the quarantine must be kept for a minimum of two years.

For more information/ questions contact Katie Bielicki, Spotted Lanternfly Project Coordinator at (302)698-4588 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Issues of Note

 

  • December 17, 2013 - Effective, Jan 1st 2014 - IRS to count Automatic Gratuities as Wages, NOT Tips.  Please click here to read more.

  • May 31, 2013 - Please click here to view the Member Alert sent regarding CIEE information and HB 156 and HB168.

  • May 6, 2013 - Please click here to view the Member Alert sent regarding the Minimum Wage Increase, HB 55, and HB 43.

  • April 18, 2013 - Please click here to view the Member Alert sent regarding the Minimum Wage Increase, HB 55, HB 60 , HB 61 and HB 74.

  • April 17, 2013 - While the Rehoboth Beach – Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce has already sent a minimum wage increase opposition letter, businesses who oppose the minimum wage increase can utilize the Minimum Wage Business Opposition Letter template by CLICKING HERE and sending same to members of the House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance/Commerce Committee (names/email included in above pdf file).
  • March 21, 2013 - Clarification - While SB 6 passed the Senate today, it must still go through the same process in the House --- this is the time to contact your state representatives with your comments.

  • March 21, 2013 - Minimum Wage Status.  Minimum Wage Bill - SB6Passed Today -- vote 12-9. $0.50 increase January 1st 2014 and $0.50 increase January 1st 2015.
  • March 20, 2013 - Minimum Wage Senate Bill 6 Scheduled to be Heard - Tomorrow, March 21, 2013. Senate Bill 6 which would raise Delaware minimum wage is scheduled to be heard tomorrow, March 21, 2013.  The session begins at 2:00 PM in Legislative Hall; however, the Bill could be heard later.  Those interested in testifying should plan on being present at 2:00 PM.  The Chamber has opposed this Bill.  Our opposition correspondence can be viewed by clicking here or by scrolling down to Chamber of Commerce Correspondence & Positions.  Additional information is contained in a 3/20/13 News Journal article which can be viewed by clicking here. 
  • March 15, 2013 - SCOOTER PARKING IN DOWNTOWN REHOBOTH.  Rehoboth Beach Commissioners will discuss and possibly vote TONIGHT on creation of new scooter parking, creation of additional parking spaces, possible permitting and associated ordinances.  The meeting is tonight, Friday March 15th at 7:00 PM and will be held at City Hall, Commissioners Room.  Click here to view the full meeting agenda as posted on the City of Rehoboth Beach's website.

    GOOD NEWS FOR MEMBERS IN THE CHAMBER'S ELECTRCI BUYING GROUP.  This week a new electric supply contract was executed on behalf of over 90 chamber businesses representing hundreds of accounts in the electric aggregation buying group.  The new contract is a three-year fixed supply rate of $0.07931/kwhr which is even lower than most member’s current/expiring rate of $0.0825/kwhr.  The contract was awarded to Integrys Energy Services after several rounds of competitive bidding and will run from each member’s April meter read date through April of 2016.  This new contract rate is also between 9% and 12% lower than Delmarva Power’s tariff supply rates.  Each member included in the contract will receive additional information from the Chamber including their projected savings and other contract details over the next several weeks.

    ATTENTION MEMBERS SERVED BY LIBERTY POWER:  Most of our members in the existing buying group are currently served by Liberty Power through April.  Liberty Power competed to win the contract renewal but was not successful.  We have reports from at least 6 members that have been contacted directly by Liberty Power to have them renew their contract directly with Liberty Power at a higher rate than the new group rate with Integrys.  Ed Jackson executed the new contract with Integrys through each member's Power of Attorney form.  Please do not renew your contract directly with Liberty Power or you will lose your new contract rate with Integrys.  Feel free to contact Ed directly if you have any questions about this at 302-218-8920 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

  Chamber of Commerce Correspondence & Positions

  • Minimum Wage Bill
         The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce sent the following correspondence to Senator Marshall regarding the proposed increase in the minimum wage.  The letter can be viewed below or click here:


    March 8, 2013

    Dear Senator Marshall:

    This is to advise that the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, representing a membership of nearly 1,300 businesses, has strong opposition to an increase in the minimum wage.  The opposition is based on concerns expressed by our small businesses, as well as several larger corporate members.

    While many of the Resort businesses already pay above the minimum wage, costs are currently at an all-time high for businesses.  In addition to the unstable economic market, the passage of the Affordable Health Care Act will create a substantial increase in health care coverage cost for their employees.  Businesses impacted by an increase in the minimum wage would need to find ways to cut expenses, which stymies creation of new positions and/or fewer hours for current employees.

    We understand that the minimum wage bill is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 2:30 PM in the Senate Hearing Room.  We are requesting that our opposition and concerns be a part of the information and discussion.  

    Please feel free to contact me should you have questions or need additional information.

    Sincerely,
    Carol A. Everhart
    President/CEO

 

 

 

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JUST IN FROM CIEE (COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE) AND THE ALLIANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
J-1 Program Threatened  The current version of the Senate Immigration Bill would have devastating consequences for the J-1 Summer Work Travel program. The J-1 visa is a cultural exchange visa that allows university students from other countries to travel and work in the U.S. during their summer break. By classifying students as “workers,” not as cultural exchange participants, the immigration reform legislation would ultimately eliminate the Summer Work Travel program from which many businesses hire a portion of their seasonal staff.  Tell your elected representatives how Immigration Reform Bill S.744 will impact your business and urge them to take immediate action! Visit http://cqrcengage.com/ciee/home to take action now or for sample correspondence visit:           Senate letter: http://capwiz.com/alliance-exchange/issues/alert/?alertid=62695691        

House letter: http://capwiz.com/alliance-exchange/issues/alert/?alertid=62695786.

FROM CHAMBER LEGISLATIVE REP. MARK LALLY:

Here are two Bills that were pre-filed:

HB 156-AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS.

This bill continues the process of updating the Liquor Control Act to make it more modern and consumer-friendly.  Section 1 and 2 allow package stores to open at 8:00 a.m., instead of 9:00 a.m. on days other than Sundays.  Section 3 allows package stores to open at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays instead of noon.  All of these changes reflect consumer demand for more convenient shopping hours.  May 30, 2013 - Introduced and Assigned to House Administration Committee in House

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HB 168- AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AND COUNSELING, TRAINING AND PLACEMENT ACTIVITIES.

This Bill in Section 1 establishes a one-week waiting period as a condition of eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits for claims establishing a benefit year beginning January 1, 2014 and thereafter. 
Section 2 sunsets the one-week waiting period as a condition of eligibility for unemployment insurance for claims establishing a benefit year beginning January 1, 2017 and thereafter.
Section 3 defines “waiting period”. The one-week waiting period is the first week after a claim for unemployment insurance benefits is filed. No unemployment insurance benefits are paid for the one-week waiting period.
Section 4 sunsets the definition of “waiting period” for unemployment insurance for claims establishing a benefit year beginning January 1, 2017 and thereafter.
Section 5 increases the taxable wage base from its current level of $10,500 effective calendar year 2014. The taxable wage base will be based on a “trigger”; specifically the balance of the UI Trust Fund as of September 30 of the preceding calendar year. The higher the fund balance, the lower the taxable wage base. If the UI Trust Fund balance is $125.0 million or less, the taxable wage base will be $18,500; if the UI Trust Fund balance is greater than $125.0 million, but less than $175.0 million, the taxable wage base will be $16,500; if the UI Trust Fund balance is at least $175.0 million, but no greater than $225.0 million, the taxable wage base will be $14,500; if the UI Trust Fund balance is greater than $225.0 million, but less than $275.0 million, the taxable wage base will be $12,500 and if the UI Trust Fund balance is $275.0 million or greater, the taxable wage base will be $10,500. 
Section 6 provides that any loan of State funds to repay loans from the federal government to the UI Trust Fund shall be repaid from unemployment insurance tax receipts.
Section 7 decreases the “special assessment” (the “training tax”), as established in § 3401, Title 19, DE Code, when the taxable wage base increases. The assessment rate will be .085% when the taxable wage base is $18,500, .095% when the taxable wage base is $16,500, .11% when the taxable wage base is $14,500, .126% when the taxable wage base is $12,500 and .15% when the taxable wage base is $10,500.  May 30, 2013 – Introduced and Assigned to the House Labor Committee

For a complete Calendar of Events, visit the Chamber website - www.beach-fun.com.  If you have questions, please give Carol a call on the member hotline- 227-6446, or her cell phone at 542-7547.

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