ARTICLES IN THIS EDITION

• NEWS: Debate Over Regulating Low-Voltage Systems in Delaware Continues on Tuesday
• NEWS: Project to Alleviate Parking Shortage at Capitol Complex Moving Forward
• NEWS: Snapshot Graphics of Agency Operations and Links to Budget Presentations

NEWS

Debate Over Regulating Low-Voltage Systems in Delaware Continues on Tuesday

The Imposition of New Regulations Could Lead to Higher Costs and Delays for Consumers and Small Businesses

The Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners appears to be shifting its focus as it continues to ponder new regulations on the installation and maintenance of low-voltage wiring systems. 

Low-voltage wiring—typically under 50 volts—is used in a wide variety of applications common in most Delaware homes, including telephone systems, sound systems, cable television, closed-circuit video, satellite dish antennas and receivers, HVAC thermostats, landscape lighting, data networks, fire alarms, and security systems.

Last September, and again earlier this month, the board was scheduled to consider a controversial rule change that would have required any contractor installing a low-voltage system to have the work performed by a licensed electrician. On both occasions, the meeting was canceled.

The board now appears to be moving away from this proposal while considering an alternative approach. On the agenda for its rescheduled meeting (Tuesday, February 17, 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM) is a "discussion on withdrawing the proposed change to Regulation 10.1.6" (the low voltage regulation).

However, the same agenda includes an item to discuss "Cecil County Low Voltage."

Cecil County, Maryland, requires a Limited Low-Voltage Electrician License to perform typical low-voltage work. Among the requirements for obtaining a license are three years of full-time experience working under a licensed low-voltage, alarm, and signal electrician or a licensed master electrician, and passing a county-administered examination.

Licensing requirements for low-voltage system technicians vary significantly across the nation. While some states have comprehensive statewide licensing, others leave regulation to local municipalities or exempt certain types of low-voltage work entirely. At present, Delaware does not require low-voltage technicians to be licensed.

The owners of Delaware small businesses that install and maintain low-voltage systems question the need for new mandates. They say that most companies already adhere to recognized industry standards and that imposing new rules and additional compliance costs will raise expenses and reduce the number of available workers. 

Critics also maintain that the consideration of new regulations is not driven by a credible safety risk, noting that low-voltage, low-amperage systems typically pose little risk of shock or fire hazard. 

National fire statistics appear to support this contention. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 91% of home fires are caused by factors other than electrical issues. Of the remaining 9%, the NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration do not differentiate between low-voltage and other electrical systems in their causal statistics. Alarm, audio, data, and other low-voltage applications are a minor subset of the broader category of "electrical distribution and lighting equipment," which includes 110-volt and 220-volt AC systems, as well as the wiring, outlets, and extension cords used to distribute and use this power.

If you would like more information about Tuesday's Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners meeting, including the agenda and how to participate in person or online, please click here.

NEWS

Project to Alleviate Parking Shortage at Capitol Complex Moving Forward

Ground could be broken as early as next month on a project aimed at addressing the chronic parking shortage around Legislative Hall in Dover.

Earlier this week, the Legislative Building Committee received an update on the $23 million initiative. If construction begins on schedule, the multi-story garage — to be built on land southeast of Legislative Hall — is expected to be completed by Labor Day 2027.

The new facility will add 345 parking spaces, including 247 designated for public use.

As Delaware’s population continues to grow, so has visitation to Legislative Hall. According to the Capitol Police, 26,385 people visited the State Capitol Building between January 1 and June 30 last year, an increase of 2,762 visits compared to the same period the previous year.

Mark J. Cutrona, Director of the Division of Legislative Services, noted a common misconception about the project.

“This facility is not just about serving Legislative Hall for the 45 days we’re in session,” he said. “The garage will provide needed parking for every state and private building in the area of Legislative Mall, year-round, in addition to supporting rallies, festivals, and other public events held on the Mall.”

He added that the project aligns with the City of Dover’s long-term economic development plan. “The city has designated the Capitol Complex as a gateway,” Cutrona said. “This structure will help support that vision.”

No new funding is required for the garage. The project was authorized in earlier state capital budgets, with funding carried forward into the current Bond Bill. A proposed pedestrian tunnel connecting the garage to Legislative Hall will not be part of this construction.

Legislative Hall Expansion -- Design Work Resumes

Also this week, the Legislative Building Committee voted to resume design work for a potential future expansion of Legislative Hall.

Originally constructed during the Great Depression, the building has undergone an expansion roughly every three decades. The last major capital project involving the facility was completed in the early 1990s.

“The design work is about 60 percent complete,” Cutrona said. “After shelving the project last year, the committee has approved finishing it. The design phase will likely conclude by the end of this year.”

The proposed renovation would significantly expand public space to accommodate the growing number of citizens participating in the legislative process. It would also address public safety concerns by adding a secure entrance, allowing Capitol Police to screen visitors before granting them full access to the building.

Completing the remaining design work does not commit lawmakers to construction or a specific timeline. The governor’s proposed Bond Bill for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1, does not include funding for a Legislative Hall expansion.

More information about projects associated with Legislative Hall is available on the Legislative Building Committee’s webpage. All committee meetings are open to the public and may be attended in person or virtually. All meeting agendas and materials reviewed by the group are publicly accessible online.

NEWS - Snapshots

The following informational slides are from state agencies that made presentations to the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee this week.

The Delaware Criminal Justice Information System

The Delaware Criminal Justice Information System manages and maintains all the state's criminal justice databases and supplies that information primarily to state agencies and the court system.

If you would like to see the complete presentation, please click here.

The Delaware Department of Correction

The Delaware Department of Correction operates the state's prison system and is responsible for managing the inmate population, including healthcare, rehabilitation, and reentry programs.

To see the complete presentation, click here.