§ 911 — Deliberative process

(a) (1) A bill, resolution, or other legislative matter assigned to a standing committee must pass through a deliberative process before being brought to the floor of either House, unless the bill or resolution is sooner petitioned out of committee.

(2) The deliberative process required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section must include regularly scheduled preannounced meetings at which the standing committee does all of the following:

a. Receives testimony from the general public, including those affected by the proposed legislation.

b. Considers an analysis of the proposed legislation, including a fiscal note or fee impact statement prepared by the Office of the Controller General.

c. After notice to the sponsor, makes time available for each prime sponsor to explain the legislation and answer questions from the standing committee.

(b) Each Thursday each standing committee shall release a committee agenda which must include all matters to be considered by the committee at that meeting, a listing of all bills in the committee, and any other announcements from the committee including the times, places, and dates of future meetings.

(c) Minutes must be taken at each formal standing committee meeting, and the results of a committee vote must be recorded. A committee member who dissents from a committee decision may state the member’s dissent and reasoning in the minutes.

Legislative History

61 Del. Laws, c. 420, § 1 ; 83 Del. Laws, c. 458, § 21