Committee reviews mentor background-check bill and a composting bill to help farmers; no public comment

The Senate Executive Committee considered two bills during the legislative portion of its hybrid meeting.

Chair introduced House Bill 443 (HB 443), which would amend Title 14 of the Delaware Code to permit the Department of Education to continue receiving state and federal criminal-background reports for mentors in the state mentoring program and require mentors to submit to those checks. Committee staff announced no in-person or virtual registrants for public comment and provided an email address for written submissions.

The panel then took up House Bill 431, with House Amendment 1 (sponsored by Representative Bush and Senator Hoeffner). Senator Hoeffner described HB 431 as a measure to allow composting of yard waste, food residue and other organic materials to divert organics from landfills, extend landfill life, reduce disposal costs and lower methane emissions. He told the committee the bill would allow a 5,000-square-foot composting footprint per 4 acres, preserve county control and inspection authority, and help small farmers and businesses avoid hauling waste out of state.

There were no registered public speakers on either bill. The Chair circulated the bills for committee member signatures and, at the conclusion of the agenda, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded; the meeting was adjourned "with no objection."