LEGISLATIVE REPORT

JANUARY 2008

 

The following bills that could impact ACEC member firms or their clients have been introduced.

 

  1. HOUSE BILL NO. 293 – This Bill would create a Community College Infrastructure Fund for DELTECH. Funding would be provided by increasing the realty transfer tax by 0.28 percent. This bill has been assigned to the House Education Committee. While the creation of the Fund would provide funds for the DELTECH; therefore providing funds for projects that our member firms will be completing, we must be careful since the additional tax will most likely not be supported by the school districts or private developers.
  2. House Bill 291 – This Bill would restrict the use of mobile phones for text messaging or emails while operating a motor vehicle. This Bill has been assigned to the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. I would suggest the ACEC send a letter to the sponsors, copying Carolann Wicks supporting this Bill.
  3. House Bill 289 – This Bill would restrict the use of eminent domain by local governments to obtained property for use by private developers for redevelopment projects. This Bill has been assigned to the House Transportation/Land Use Infrastructure Committee. The Senate has passed a similar Bill that is not as restrictive as the House Bill.
  4. House Bill 287 – This bill would allow New Castle County to grant administrative dimensional variances of up to one-foot. The Bill has been assigned to the House Transportation/Land Use Infrastructure Committee. I would suggest the ACEC send a letter to the sponsors, copying Chris Coons and Charlie Baker supporting this Bill.
  5. House Bill 280 – This Bill would require that all subdivision streets whether public or private to be constructed to DELDOT Standards. The Bill has been assigned to the House Transportation/Land Use Infrastructure Committee. While we might like to support this Bill, developers in Sussex County have indicated that they have concerns about this Bill.