Bill Sponsor
Delaware House Bill 139
Session 152
An Act To Amend The Charter Of The Town Of Townsend.
Became Law
Became Law
Signed by Governor on Aug 31, 2023
Sponsors
Republican
Jeffrey N. Spiegelman
Democrat
Peter C. Schwartzkopf
First Action
May 5, 2023
Latest Action
Aug 31, 2023
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill Number
139
State
Delaware
Session
152
Sponsorship by Party
Summary
This Act amends the Charter of the Town of Townsend in the following ways: 1. It requires the Town Council to determine rules for Town Meetings after being sworn in at the Town Council reorganization meeting in June of each year. 2. It removes the requirement that a copy of ordinances, codes, rules and regulations be printed for each official of the Town. 3. It allows the Mayor to vote on Town matters, whereas before, the Mayor could only vote in the event of a tie. 4. It clarifies the procedures for disqualification and removal from office for the Mayor and Council members, as well as election procedures and term of office. 5. For a councilperson to be elected mayor, they must have sat as a councilperson for at least twelve consecutive months, although if no such members of the council qualify, the Mayor will be elected from the sitting members. 6. All candidates must successfully pass a background check as provided by the Town. 7. If within 90 days of the swearing in, a newly sworn in Councilperson is disqualified, the candidate with the next highest number of votes shall be appointed to fill the remainder of the term. 8. The Town Manager will now have the ability to authorize and approve reimbursements. 9. It revises the section of the Charter regarding the Police Force. This Act also makes technical changes to the Charter as deemed appropriate.
Actions (10)
08/31/2023
Office of the Governor
Signed by Governor
06/30/2023
Senate
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
06/28/2023
Senate
Reported Out of Committee (Executive) in Senate with 6 On Its Merits
06/22/2023
Senate
Re-Assigned to Executive Committee in Senate
06/15/2023
Senate
Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate
06/15/2023
House
Passed By House. Votes: 35 YES 6 ABSENT
06/15/2023
House
Amendment HA 1 to HB 139 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
06/14/2023
House
Amendment HA 1 to HB 139 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
05/10/2023
House
Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 5 On Its Merits
05/05/2023
House
Introduced and Assigned to Administration Committee in House
Sources
Record Created
May 6, 2023 12:25:33 AM
Record Updated
Jan 4, 2024 8:58:09 PM