January 12, 2020
Dear Neighbor,
I hope this message finds you well.

I want to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year. Please see the updates below on this year's virtual legislative session; DelDOT updates; a clean water act for Delaware; and information on the state's plastic bag ban.

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 my aide, Chris, at the number listed below.
Sincerely,
Val

Valerie Longhurst, Majority Leader
15th District
302.577.8476
Virtual Legislative Session
The 151st General Assembly gets underway today, and will conduct legislative business virtually throughout the month of January.

Sessions of the full House, including joint sessions of the House and Senate, will be streamed live via the General Assembly’s website (found here), under the section marked “Live Proceedings.”

Members of the public are welcome to attend all virtual House committee meetings and deliver comments on pending legislation. Links to register for each meeting will be posted on the General Assembly’s website, along with scheduling information, agendas and other pertinent details on the Committee Meetings page (found here).

Committee meeting notices will be posted by the end of the day on the Thursday prior to the week in which they are scheduled to be held.
DelDOT Updates
Signal Upgrades along US 40/Pulaski Highway from January 14 through April 14
  • DelDOT will be installing signal upgrades at various intersections along US 40/Pulaski Highway, Bear from January 14 through April 14.
  • US 40/Pulaski Highway and Glendale Boulevard/Walther Road
  • US 40/Pulaski Highway and Wilton Boulevard
  • US 40/Pulaski Highway and Scotland Drive
  • US 40/Pulaski Highway and School Bell Road
  • Daytime work not affecting traffic will be performed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Nighttime intermittent lane closures will occur from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.
  • This will be for pedestrian facility upgrades, associated signal infrastructure upgrades, signal heads and loops, and a Bus Rapid Transit Signal at the intersection of US 40/Pulaski Highway and Wilton Boulevard.

Update on Rt 72 / Wrangle Hill Road Paving
  • Paving operations are complete on Route 72 / Wrangle Hill Rd / Sunset Lake Rd between GBC Drive and Mabel Lane.
  • The permanent striping and small list of remaining items are temperature- dependent. They are expected to be completed this spring.
HB 200: Clean Water for Delaware
Water is among Delaware's most basic and valuable resources. For far too long, Delaware’s investments in water infrastructure haven’t been enough. Our aging systems have meant more residents have failing septic systems, dirty water, or homes inundated with water. At the end of the day, it's simple: we cannot live without clean water and strong infrastructure. 

I am proud to re-introduce HB 200 with Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, establishing the Clean Water for Delaware Act. This act lays the foundation for a comprehensive water infrastructure system that will address well water, waterways and wastewater, stormwater management and infrastructure. We are looking to address real water issues that impact all of us in our day to day lives. 
Delaware Plastic Bag Ban
As of January 1, Delaware consumers, as well as some businesses, will no longer be able to use to distribute plastic, single-use at point-of-sale. This ban is to reduce litter, save landfill space, and support recycling efforts.

Instead of plastic bags, retailers can offer paper bags, cloth bags, or a thicker type of plastic bag that is reusable. The General Assembly did not mandate a fee on bags, but each store is permitted to decide whether they would like to charge a fee for the bags they provide.

Under the law, larger stores of more than 7,000 square feet and smaller stores, with a minimum of three locations in Delaware of 3,000 square feet each or more, are no longer permitted to distribute plastic carryout bags. This law includes plastic bag use in convenient stores.

Restaurants are not subject to the plastic bag ban, nor are small stores containing one or two locations.

All retail stores must, by law, have at At-Store Recycling program for plastic bags and other types of plastic. These drop-off bins should be visible and accessible throughout the store. Do not place plastic bags in the carts for the state's curbside recycling program. Instead, please return them to stores so that they can be recycled.For more information, please see the link below:
Valerie Longhurst | House Majority Leader | 302.577.8476 | [email protected]