August 9, 2021
Dear Neighbor,
I hope this message finds you well.

The 2021 Session of the General Assembly recently concluded on June 30th, and I have included an overview and outline of the accomplishments and progress that the General Assembly has made this year – please find it below. 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about legislation or issues in our community, please email me at [email protected] . You can also reach my office by phone by calling Ethan Morgan at (302) 744-4047.
Sincerely,

Val

Valerie Longhurst, Majority Leader
15th District
302.577.8476
2021 Legislative Wrap-Up
Education
We are at a key moment in history for education in Delaware, with many different efforts
converging around the same goals of access, equity, early intervention, and resources for
underserved communities. Real change is within our reach for the first time in many,
many years, and we are confident that we will achieve the progress that our children and
families have been waiting for.

Not only did we secure more funding than ever for students with special needs and
students in high-needs schools, we also broadened opportunities for Delawareans of all
ages to pursue higher education.

  • SB 56 - Makes educational Opportunity Funding permanent.
  • HB 100 - Elementary school mental health services.
  • HB 129 - School-Based Health Centers-expansion.
  • HB 198 - Requiring the teaching of Black history curriculum.
  • HB 86 - K-3 special education funding.
  • HB 20 - Provides menstrual hygiene products in schools.
  • HB 123 - College tuition waiver for youth aging out of foster care.
  • HB 240 - Korey Thompson Student Emergency Housing Assistance Fund.
  • SB 12/95 - Expanding the DelTech SEED and DSU Inspire scholarships.
  • HB 202 - Increases access to early childhood developmental screening.
  • HB 175 - Excused absence for civic engagement purposes.
  • HB 163 - Excused absence for all religious holidays.
Economy
Economic Empowerment
This year, we worked to ensure that the minimum wage in Delaware is the minimum
wage for everyone –– period. Regardless of age, job experience or disability, all workers
in Delaware are entitled to the same basic compensation.

We also took a big step toward ensuring that the minimum wage in Delaware can cover
the basic expenses of a dignified life. Raising the minimum wage will help ensure that
working people share in Delaware’s post-pandemic economic recovery. A higher
minimum wage will put more money in the pockets of the very same customers that
small businesses rely on, and it will reduce strain on the social safety net and state
spending on programs to aid people who don’t earn enough to live on.

We advanced other legislation that will help working Delawareans realize the full benefit
of the Earned Income Tax Credit and access a public retirement savings plan.
We also supported Delaware’s hospitality industry by extending the provisions for
outdoor dining and carry-out alcohol sales that became essential parts of their businesses
during the pandemic –– and, we opened new avenues for Delaware’s vibrant craft beverage industry to expand and grow.

Wage Reform:
  • SB 15 - Increases minimum wage to $15/hr. by 2025.
  • HB 122 - Eliminates subminimum wage for persons with disabilities.
  • HB 88 - Repeals youth and training wage provisions.

Economic Empowerment:
  • HB 16 - Makes the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refundable for recipients.
  • HB 205 - Delaware EARNS retirement savings program.
  • HB 65 - Exempts unemployment payments from state income tax.
  • HB 91 - Protects consumers from unfair business practices.

Helping Delaware Small Businesses:
  • HB 1 - Extends outdoor restaurant seating and carry-out alcohol sales.
  • HB 45 - Increases available number of craft brewpub licenses.
  • HB 46 - Allows craft brewers to produce hard seltzers.
  • HB 81 - Allows craft breweries to share equipment.
Environment
Environmental Justice
The biggest victory for the environment this year was by far the Clean Water for
Delaware Act –– monumental legislation that initially invests $50 million to rebuild
Delaware’s drinking water infrastructure, prevent flooding in vulnerable communities,
and keep contamination out of our waterways.

We also furthered efforts to reduce the prevalence of single-use plastic bags, passing a
bill that will expand Delaware’s landmark 2019 plastic bag law, and effectively end the
use of plastic carryout bags in Delaware stores.

  • HB 8 - Sets enforceable PFOA/PFOS “forever chemicals” contaminant levels in
drinking water.
  • HB 200 - Clean Water for Delaware Act.
  • HB 212 - Phases out single-use plastic bags by July 1, 2022.
  • SB 33 - Renewable Portfolio Standard: raises targets for renewable energy.
  • SB 2 - Establishes framework for community solar projects.
  • SB 22 - Prohibits the import, export, sale, transport, distribution, or propagation
of invasive plants.
Valerie Longhurst | House Majority Leader | 302.577.8476 | [email protected]