Delaware 150th General Assembly (2019-2020) Status: In Committee 3 D cosponsors

HB 129 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LOCAL SCHOOL TAXES.

Last action — Stricken in House

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 150th General Assembly (2019-2020). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

This bill creates a mechanism by which school boards may increase funds for a school district both with and without a referendum. This bill also provides how certain school boards may levy real estate taxes.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends the process by which school boards in Delaware can levy local school taxes, allowing increases with and without a referendum under specific conditions.

  • § 1914

    beginning in fiscal year 2021, a school board may increase the rate or amount of tax originally authorized in an election by an amount that does not exceed the higher of either of the following: → Beginning in fiscal year 2021, a school board may increase the rate or amount of tax originally authorized in an election by an amount that does not exceed the higher of either of the following:

    The bill formalizes the ability of school boards to increase tax rates or amounts from previous authorized elections starting in fiscal year 2021.

  • § 1914(b)(1)

    a. A rate equal to the percentage change in the CPI-W as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the Department of Labor. → a. A rate equal to the percentage change in the CPI-W as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the Department of Labor.

    This establishes a guideline for how much school boards can increase taxes based on inflation.

  • § 1914(b)(1)

    b. A rate of 2% annually without a further election or referendum. → b. A rate of 2% annually without a further election or referendum.

    This allows for a straightforward, automatic 2% annual tax increase without needing additional voter approval.

  • § 1914(b)(2)

    This subsection of this section does not apply to tax levies for major capital improvements under Chapter 17 of this title or tuition programs under Chapter 6 of this title. → This subsection (b) of this section does not apply to tax levies for major capital improvements under Chapter 17 of this title or tuition programs under Chapter 6 of this title.

    Clarifies the limitations of the tax increase provisions for major capital improvements and tuition programs.

  • § 1914(b)(3)

    higher that the provisions in subsection (b)(1) of this section, but will require a referendum approved by the taxpayers. → higher than the provisions in subsection (b)(1) of this section, but will require a referendum approved by the taxpayers.

    Adjusts the wording for clarity on the need for referendums for increases beyond the established limits.

Action History

  1. Stricken in House

  2. Amendment HA 2 to HB 129 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

  3. Amendment HA 1 to HB 129 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

  4. Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 56 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (56)

56 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

taxation education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 129 do?
This bill creates a mechanism by which school boards may increase funds for a school district both with and without a referendum. This bill also provides how certain school boards may levy real estate taxes.
Who sponsors HB 129?
HB 129 is sponsored by Bryan Townsend (Democratic), David P. Sokola (Democratic), S. Elizabeth Lockman (Democratic), Laura V. Sturgeon, Earl G. Jaques Jr., and Paul S. Baumbach.
What is the current status of HB 129?
This bill died with 150th General Assembly (2019-2020). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 129?
Track HB 129 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

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