Weekly Report: 3/4/2024

Prepared By: Len Damico

The legislature is back in session! Which means that we have several bills that have been introduced and some others that are up in committee. Read more below to see what needs you help most.

Universal Free School Meals

This past week, we officially launched our People Powered Issue Campaigns, focusing on improving the lives of working families by addressing three core areas:

• Universal Free School Meals

• Earned Sick Time & Safety Leave

• Cost-Burdened Renters

We had over thirty people show up between our in-person event and Zoom, with people taking on roles from reaching out to their own communities to activating people to reach out to their legislators.

And today, we are getting our first chance to flex those muscles! Rep. Rae Moore’s HB 125, introducing free school breakfast and lunch, will be heard in the House Education Committee meeting on Wednesday, March 6th at 3pm! This is an opportunity to take a huge first step on a transformative piece of legislation, and we are going to need everyone’s help to make it happen.

If you are available on Wednesday afternoon, you can sign up here and we will reach out to get you more information, including how to testify virtually and how to get down to Dover if you want to testify in person.

Committee Report

Two bills that seek to reverse the proposed privatization of state workers’ retirement benefits are our focus this week.They are both supported by Retirees Investing in Social Equity Delaware (RISE DE), a group co-founded by former state representative and progressive champion John Kowalko. 

You can also check here for the full list of committee meetings and click “view” next to each meeting for the full agenda and additional information.

Bill #	Sponsor	Summary/Description	Committee Meeting Info	Give Public Comment
HB 281	Baumbach, Townsend	Repeals the option of privatizing health care insurance to state retirees under Medicare part C, known as a Medicare Advantage Plan. It is supported by RISE DE.	House Administration Wednesday 3/6 at 12pm	In Person: House Chamber 411 Legislative Avenue Dover, DE 19901 Virtual: Register for Meeting
HB 282	Baumbach, Townsend	Adds procedural requirements to meetings of the State Employee Benefits Committee (SEBC), revises the membership of the SEBC, and requires that the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources inform State employees and retired State employees (eligible pensioners) about changes in benefits coverages affecting eligible pensioners who are receiving or eligible to receive retirement benefits under the state employees' pension plan, including proposed changes. It is also supported by RISE DE.	House Administration Wednesday 3/6 at 12pm	In Person: House Chamber 411 Legislative Avenue Dover, DE 19901 Virtual: Register for Meeting
HB 125	S. Moore, Lockman	Requires all schools to offer all students free breakfast and lunch every school day.	House Education Wednesday 3/6 at 3pm	In Person: House Chamber 411 Legislative Avenue Dover, DE 19901 Virtual: Register for Meeting