Delaware State Chamber of Commerce End-of-Session Policy Conference

The decisions made in Dover have a direct impact on your business and employees. Topics like healthcare, workforce, the environment, taxes , and economic development are discussed every day in Legislative Hall. Your awareness of these policies is key to ensuring they are shaped fairly and equitably. To help secure the future of Delaware’s business climate and the First State’s place as a regional leader, we must act together—join the conversation on May 30. Our discussions will center on key bills before the General Assembly:

ENVIRONMENT | HB 249

This act would update certain statutory fees in Title 7 and establish, update, and/or increase certain permit and licensing fees. Why call attention to this bill? We have a burdensome permitting process that’s long been a challenge for businesses of every size and in every industry. Now even clean energy projects are suffering from long delays, enormous expenses, and in some cases, project abandonment. While we agree that many permitting fees haven’t been evaluated in some time, the lack of economic justification and arguments in favor of these increases call attention to the broken permitting process and the need for top-to-bottom reforms.

HEALTHCARE | HS 2 for HB 350

This act would establish a Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board. The new board, comprised of five volunteer political appointees, would review and either approve or reject all aspects of every Delaware hospital’s budget annually. The board would also hold meetings for the public to comment on and approve the budgets of Delaware hospitals. Why is this important? Healthcare is a top priority within the business community. While this bill addresses hospitals, it isn’t comprehensive in looking at the entire healthcare landscape. There are questions around whether this is a proven solution to the problem—Will it help control costs? Will it decrease competition? Does this proposal help Delaware compete for talent?

2024 ELECTIONS

2024 is an election year where Delaware will see new leaders in multiple positions—governor, lieutenant governor, Congress, and more. We will provide an inside look at these key races and explain what those outcomes could mean to the business community.

END-OF-SESSION

As in years past, we will also hear from Senate President Pro Tempore David Sokola and Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst, who will offer insights on the priorities their respective chambers are considering as the 152nd General Assembly inches closer to adjournment on June 30.

AGENDA

9:00 am                      Registration and Networking

9:30 am                      Welcome Remarks

• Mike Quaranta, President, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

9:45 am                      Small Business Guardian Awards

• Hon. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, State Representative
• Hon. David L. Wilson, State Senator

10:00 am                    Permits & Policies

• Kimberly Hoffman, Partner, Morris James LLP
• Brian Frazee, President & CEO, Delaware Healthcare Association
• Q&A

10:30 am                    Top Issues Before the Delaware House of Representatives

• Hon. Valerie Longhurst, Speaker of the House
• Q&A

11:15 am                     Top Issues Before the Delaware State Senate

• Hon. David P. Sokola, Senate President Pro Tempore
• Q&A

12:00 pm                      Buffet Lunch

12:30 pm                      Election Coverage

• Kim Gomes, Partner, ByrdGomes
• Verity Watson, Partner, Ruggerio, Willson & Watson

1:00 pm                        Adjourn

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Click here to download the form.

Questions? Please contact Kerri Welcher at kwelcher@dscc.com