Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 88

FORMERLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 299

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 1,3,6,7,10,11,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,23,24,26,29,30 AND 31 OF THE DELAWARE CODE TO PROVIDE FOR THE REORGANIZATION OF STATE GOVERNMENT BY CREATING THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET; TRANSFERRING SELECTED DIVISIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BUDGET, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND THE STATE PERSONNEL OFFICE TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE; DELETING OR AMENDING REFERENCES TO SUPERSEDED AGENCIES OR OFFICERS; AND ALIGNING THE DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE :

Section 1. Amend Subchapter II., Chapter 63, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting the words “Budget Director” from the title thereof, and substituting the words “Budget Commission” in lieu thereof.

Section 2. Amend §6312, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting the words “Budget Director” wherever they appear therein and substituting the words “Director of the Office of Management and Budget” in lieu thereof.

Section 3. Amend Subchapter II., Chapter 63, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting §§ 6313 through 6316 thereof in their entirety.

Section 4. Amend Title 29 of the Delaware Code by adding a new Chapter 63A thereto as follows:

Chapter 63A. Office of Management and Budget

§6301A. Establishment of Office of Management and Budget.

An Office of Management and Budget, referred to in this chapter as “Office,” is hereby established.

§6302A. Director; appointment; salary; bond; employees and assistants.

(1) There shall be a Director of the Office of Management and Budget, hereinafter referred to in this chapter as “Director,” to be appointed by and to serve at the pleasure of the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Director shall be paid a salary established by the Governor within the limitation of the funds appropriated therefore.

(2) The Director may employ such employees as may be required to carry out the duties of this office and may fix the salaries of such employees within the limitations of the funds appropriated therefore.

(3) In the event of a vacancy in the position of Director, including the death, resignation, temporary incapacity or removal of the incumbent and prior to the appointment of a successor, the Governor may appoint any qualified individual to serve as Acting Director.

(4) The Director may call upon any other state officer for such assistance as the Director may require and may employ such special help as it may require to carry out this chapter. The Director shall fix the compensation of such persons as may be employed to be paid out of such fund as the General Assembly may appropriate for that purpose.

§6303A. General powers and duties.

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall have the following powers, duties and functions:

(1) To audit, inspect and examine the accounts and the affairs of and the records of any agency of this State at such times as deemed expedient for the supervision of the budget and shall require all agencies to submit estimates showing the amounts and purposes of all anticipated expenditures to be made at the time or period in which such expenditures are to be made by an agency; such estimates of anticipated expenditures to be submitted in such form as the Director may prescribe;

(2) To require such fiscal reports, statements of balances on hand, estimates of receipts and information in any manner pertinent to the fiscal affairs of this State from the Secretary of Finance, Auditor of Accounts or any other agency of the State in such form as the Director shall prescribe for the purposes of this chapter;

(3) To design and install in any agency of this State such accounting records and procedures as shall be adequate for the control of the fiscal affairs of this State and require any agency of this State to follow and comply with the accounting procedures so designed;

(4) To report to the General Assembly and the Attorney General in writing any irregular, illegal or improper financial administration or transaction;

(5) To make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning the control of all state property and of accounts receivable and concerning a system of recording and accounting for the improvement and control of the fiscal practices and the adoption of a fiscal policy by the State;

(6) To consider and approve or disapprove transfers between appropriations contained in the budget as defined in this chapter and for which purpose it is provided that such transfers shall become effective only upon approval of the Director;

(7) To authorize, with the concurrence of the Controller General, special funds that are deemed necessary while the General Assembly is not in session, and until such time as legislation may be introduced at the next session of the General Assembly and acted upon;

(8) To prepare and administer the state's program of public works and major capital improvement projects;

(9) To prepare, and from time to time revise, an inventory listing the state's real property and facilities of all kinds;

(10) To supervise, direct and account for the administration and operation of the Office, its divisions, subdivisions, offices, functions and employees;

(11) To appoint and fix the salary of, with the written approval of the Governor, the following administrators, who may be removed from office by the Director with the written approval of the Governor and who shall have such powers, duties and functions in the administration and operation of the Office as may be assigned by the Director:

a. A Management Services Administrator who shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.

b. A Facilities Management Administrator who shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.

c. A Government Support Services Administrator who shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.

d. A Human Resource Management Administrator who shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.

e. A Benefits and Insurance Administrator who shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.

f. An Administrator of Budget Development, Planning and Administration who shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.

(12) To appoint such additional personnel as may be necessary for the administration and operation of the Office within such limitations as may be imposed by law;

(13) To establish, consolidate or abolish such divisions, subdivisions and offices within the Office or transfer or combine the powers, duties and functions of the divisions and other groups within the Office, with the written approval of the Governor, as may deem necessary, provided that all powers, duties and functions required by law shall be provided for and maintained;

(14) To make and enter into any and all contracts, agreements or stipulations, to retain, employ and contract for the services of private and public consultants, research and technical personnel and to procure by contract, consulting, research, technical and other services and facilities, whenever they shall be deemed by the Director necessary or desirable in the performance of the functions of the Office and whenever funds shall be available for such purpose, with the specific requirement that all necessary legal services be provided pursuant to Chapter 25 of this title;

(15) To delegate any of his or her powers, duties or functions to an individual in subsection (11) of this section, except the power to remove employees of the Department or to fix their compensation;

(16) To establish and to promulgate such rules and regulations governing the administration and operation of the Office as may be deemed necessary by the Director and which are not inconsistent with the laws of this State;

(17) To maintain such facilities throughout the State as may be required for the effective and efficient operation of the Office;

(18) To adopt an official seal or seals for the Office;

(19) To accept and to receive, in furtherance of the Office's function, funds, grants and services from the federal government or its agencies;

(20) To assume such other powers, duties and functions as the Governor may assign which are not otherwise inconsistent with the laws of this State;

(21) To prepare, in cooperation with the division directors, a proposed budget for the operation of the Office, to be submitted for the consideration of the Governor and the General Assembly. The Office shall be operated within the limitation of the annual appropriation and any other funds appropriated by the General Assembly, with the provision that special funds may be used in accordance with approved programs, grants and appropriations;

(22) To administer and manage a statewide human resource information system, and upon implementation, serve as the administrator of all data and processes supported by the system throughout the State, including all government agencies, school districts, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical and Community College; and

(23) To be responsible for the clerical administration of all state pension funds. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall have the authority to recommend to the Governor such changes as may be desirable in the pension system for employees in the classified service.

§6304A. Limitation on power to investigate.

The Director shall not investigate or require reports from the judiciary or from the courts of this State, from any private hospital, from the General Assembly, from any local or special school district respecting locally raised (non-state) revenues, from any fire company, or concerning the burial of indigent veterans, or from Kent and Sussex Fair Association, from the Libraries of Municipalities, from the Historical Society of Delaware, from the American Legion, from the United Spanish War Veterans, from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, from Disabled American Veterans, from Paralyzed Veterans of America, from Vietnam Veterans of America or from other similar institutions not directly under the jurisdiction of the administrative or executive authority of this State.

§6305A. Exemptions.

The following positions set forth in this section shall be exempt from Chapter 59 of this title:

(1) Director of the Office of Management and Budget;

(2) Management Services Administrator;

(3) Facilities Management Administrator;

(4) Government Support Services Administrator;

(5) Human Resource Management Administrator;

(6) Benefits and Insurance Administrator ; and

(7)Administrator of Budget Development, Planning and Administration

§6306A. Management Services.

(a) The Management Services Section of the Office of Management and Budget is hereby established, having the powers, duties and functions as follows:

(1) Administer and coordinate the recordkeeping, fiscal affairs, information technology, statistics, accounting, budgeting, personnel and other general services for the Office, as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may deem necessary, for the proper, efficient and economical operation of the Office;

(2) Co-ordinate such general services and business administration with departments, agencies and offices of this State, other states and the federal government; and

(3) Perform special studies and reports and direct services of the Office to coordinate the services of the Office with other departments, agencies and offices of this State.

(b) The Management Services Administrator shall assume such other powers, duties, and functions as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may assign which are not otherwise inconsistent with the laws of this State.

§6307A. Facilities Management.

(a) The Facilities Management Section of the Office of Management and Budget is hereby established having powers, duties and functions as follows:

(1) Advise the Director of the Office of Management and Budget on the allocation of existing space in facilities owned or leased by the State among state agencies, boards and commissions;

(2) Advise the Director of the Office of Management and Budget on any need to acquire additional facilities for any state agency, board or commission;

(3) Provide facility maintenance programs, including but not limited to building maintenance, grounds maintenance, security and custodial services.

(b) The Facilities Management section shall review all building design, construction, and operations for state agencies, including school districts. The purpose of this review shall be to:

(1) Establish and apply evaluation factors and performance specifications for structural and mechanical functions;

(2) Research and analyze design and construction factors as they relate to economical construction and reliability and maintenance performance;

(3) Advise, recommend and refer to the Governor matters dealing with state building design and construction practice;

(4) Review bidding procedures and study and make recommendations dealing with bid laws;

(5) Make such studies and provide such information as shall cause the selection of the best cost/performance components that will satisfy a particular function; and

(6) Review and make recommendations regarding the operation, maintenance and efficiency of the physical plant of state facilities.

(c) The Facilities Management section shall be responsible for the performance of all the powers, duties and functions vested in the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to Chapter 4 of this title.

(d) The Facilities Management section shall be responsible for the design, construction and/or renovation of all public buildings for state departments and agencies. In performance of these duties, the Office of Management and Budget shall, in the following areas, consult with the agency for which the project is being or will be completed: pre-design services, architectural plans and preliminary cost estimates, selection and negotiation of professional services, approval of minor capital improvement projects to be bid upon and awarded, approval of final architectural and engineering drawings for major capital projects and approval of change orders greater than or equal to 2 percent of a project cost. For the purpose of this subsection, state departments and agencies shall not include school districts and institutions of higher learning.

(e) The Facilities Management section shall

(1) Be the only state agency authorized to rent parking space in the underground facilities located at the Carvel State Building;

(2) At the discretion of the Administrator, approve all proposed contracts for architectural, engineering and construction management services and all architectural, structural and electrical plans, specifications and cost estimates for public building projects to be undertaken by all state departments and agencies. All projects planned, designed, maintained and/or constructed by the Department of Transportation, with the exception of projects for the construction of public buildings, are specifically exempted from the requirements of this subsection;

(3) Negotiate, review and approve all leases and lease renewals on behalf of all state departments and agencies for facilities throughout the State;

(4) Establish statewide policies and standards for all leases including: space allocation, energy efficiency, maintenance, security and custodial services;

(5) Develop an inventory of all state leases and space available in all state facilities; and

(6) Develop a long-term plan to coordinate the State's leasing practices with a comprehensive plan of facilities management and space allocation.

(f) The Facilities Management Administrator shall assume such other powers, duties, and functions as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may assign which are not otherwise inconsistent with the laws of this State.

§6308A. Government Support Services.

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Duly authorized volunteer fire department" shall mean a volunteer fire department recognized as such by the State Fire Prevention Commission.

(2) "Local government unit" shall mean any municipality incorporated in this State under the authority of the General Assembly and any of the 3 counties.

(b) The Government Support Services Section of the Office of Management and Budget is hereby established having powers, duties and functions relating to the distribution of surplus property as follows:

(1) The Government Support Services section may:

a. Acquire from the United States of America, in conformity with the federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended (40 U.S.C. § 484 et seq.) ›see now 40 U.S.C. § 541 et seq.;

b. Warehouse such property;

c. Distribute such property within the State to tax-supported medical institutions, hospitals, clinics, health centers, school systems, schools, colleges and universities within the State, to other nonprofit medical institutions, hospitals, clinics, health centers, schools, colleges and universities which have been held exempt from taxation under § 501 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. § 501), to civil defense organizations of the State, duly authorized volunteer fire departments within the State or political subdivisions and instrumentalities thereof, which are established pursuant to state law, and to such other types of institutions or activities as may become eligible under federal law to acquire such property;

d. Receive applications from eligible institutions for the acquisition of federal surplus real property, investigate the same, make recommendations regarding the need of such applicant for the property and otherwise assist in the processing of such applications for acquisition of real and related personal property of the United States under § 203(k) of the federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. § 484) ›see now 40 U.S.C. § 541 et seq.;

e. Make such certifications, take such action, make such expenditures and enter into such contracts, agreements and undertakings for and in the name of the State including cooperative agreements with any federal agencies providing for utilization by, and exchange between them of the property, facilities, personnel and services of each by the other, and require such reports and make such investigations as may be required by law or regulation of the United States of America in connection with the disposal of real property and the receipt, warehousing and distribution of personal property received from the United States of America.

(2) The Government Support Services section shall:

a. Act as the responsible agency to operate the surplus commodity program in Delaware, in accordance with the regulations and procedures prescribed by the United States Department of Agriculture. The Office of Management and Budget may take such action, make such expenditures and enter into such contracts, agreements and undertakings for the State to provide for the distribution of available commodities to all eligible recipients in the State who make proper application therefor;

b. Act as the sole state agency to receive, warehouse and distribute food commodities issued by the federal government for use in nonprofit school lunch programs, nonprofit summer camps for children, non-penal, nonprofit, tax-exempt private or public institutions, state correctional institutions and assistance to other needy persons in accordance with § 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. § 1431), as amended, and other applicable federal laws and regulations; provided however, that the Office of Management and Budget shall have no control over the administration of the school lunch program beyond receiving, warehousing and distributing such food commodities.

(3) a. The State Treasurer shall maintain, in the name of the Office of Management and Budget, Government Support Services, a special revolving account. There shall be deposited in this special account all moneys received as handling charges for the acquisition, warehousing, distribution or transfer of property of the United States of America as authorized under paragraph (1) of this subsection.

b. All funds collected by the Government Support Services section shall be accounted for as provided by law for receipts of state agencies. Such funds shall be used to cover the expenses of the program. In accordance with federal regulations no funds in such special account shall revert to the General Fund of the State. Funds generated by Delaware Surplus Services and deemed to be surplus by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall be transferred to the Facilities Management section for maintenance and restoration of state buildings and grounds maintained by the Facilities Management section.

(c) The Government Support Services section shall have the powers, duties and functions relating to the central contracting for materiel and services throughout the State as outlined in § 6908 of this title.

(d) The Government Support Services section shall not contract for, procure or purchase printed matter, forms, bond paper or pads larger than 81/2 inches by 11 inches unless such printed matter, forms, bond paper or pads are perforated or otherwise designed to produce finished printed matter or forms not larger than 81/2 inches by 11 inches.

(e) The Government Support Services section shall not contract for vertical file cabinets designed to hold completed documents larger than 81/2 inches by 11 inches.

(f) Each agency may use its existing supply of printed matter, forms, bond paper and pads until the supply is exhausted and each agency may use its existing vertical file cabinets for so long as such cabinets remain serviceable.

(g) This section shall not prohibit the purchase or use of printed matter or forms larger than 81/2 inches by 11 inches, if the printed matter or forms are to be used to maintain accounting or bookkeeping records, for preparing architectural or engineering drafts or documents or for preparing maps, graphs, posters, charts or art work, or if the printed matter or forms are authorized by the State Archivist and Records Administrator. This section does not prohibit the purchase or use of fan-fold paper designed for use in computer peripheral devices.

(h) The Government Support Services section shall provide messenger and mail services to state agencies.

(i) The Government Support Services section shall provide graphics and printing services, including but not limited to printing, duplicating, photography and photocopying, to all state agencies. If appropriate, the Government Support Services Administrator may award a contract in accordance with Chapter 69 of this title. The acquisition of copiers in state buildings which are managed by the Office of Management and Budget, Facilities Management, shall have the approval of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

(j) The Government Support Services section shall provide transportation services to state agencies through the Office of Fleet Services.

(k) The Government Support Services section shall provide information services to the general public through a State Information Guide System.

(l) No agency of state government shall procure, purchase or lease any postage meters or equipment for the metering of mail or the affixing of postage without the prior approval of the Government Support Services section.

(m) The Office of Fleet Services is hereby established within the Government Support Services section and shall have the following powers, duties and functions. The Office of Fleet Services shall:

(1) Have the administrative, ministerial, budgetary and clerical functions of Fleet Services;

(2) Establish and operate a statewide fleet management system, as established by § 7105 of this title;

(3) Investigate and resolve all citizens' complaints relating to abuse or misuse of all agency/school district owned vehicles;

(4) Recommend to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget appropriate funding levels for all agency/school districts for in-state travel requirements;

(5) Be the sole agency to receive the proceeds from the disposal of vehicles and vehicle parts, including all non-general funds except those funds that, as a basis for their authorization, require the proceeds of such disposal to be returned to the original source of the funds; and

(6) Establish an appropriated special fund account to sustain the total cost and operation of the Office of Fleet Services and its function, including staff salaries and the statewide fleet management system.

(n) The Government Support Services Administrator shall assume such other powers, duties and functions as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may assign which are not otherwise inconsistent with the laws of this State.

§6309A. Human Resources Management.

(a) The Human Resources Management Section of the Office of Management and Budget is hereby established having powers, duties and functions relating to human resources as follows:

(1) In addition to the duties imposed upon the Human Resources Management Administrator elsewhere in this Code and consistent with the right of public employees to organize under Chapter 13 of Title 19, it shall be the Administrator’s duty to:

a. Attend all meetings of the Merit Employee Relations Board and act as liaison between the Board and the Office of Management and Budget, and to cooperate with the staff of the Board in administrative and technical activities;

b. Establish and maintain a roster of all employees in the classified service as defined in § 5903 of this title, setting forth pertinent data as to each employee, including the class title of the position held, salary or pay, and any change in class title, pay or status;

c. Designate an employee to act as the staff development officer for the Office of Management and Budget, funded through appropriated special funds. This individual will support statewide training programs for state managers, supervisors and employees. Statewide training programs will be supported with funds generated from the assessment of charges for courses on agencies participating in certain classes held by the Office of Management and Budget. The Office of Management and Budget may set charges for courses to sustain or create training programs with the funds placed in an appropriated special fund account;

d. Encourage the development of more effective personnel administration within the departments and agencies in the state service and to make available for this purpose the assistance and facilities of the Merit Employee Relations Board;

e. Investigate from time to time the operation and effect of Chapter 59 of this Title, and of the rules made thereunder and to report findings and recommendations to the Merit Employee Relations Board; and

f. Perform any other lawful acts necessary or desirable to carry out the provisions of Chapter 59 of this Title and the rules adopted thereunder.

(b) The Human Resources Management Administrator shall assume such other powers, duties and functions as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may assign which are not otherwise inconsistent with the laws of this state.

§6310A. Benefits and Insurance Administration

(a) The Benefits and Insurance Administration Section of the Office of Management and Budget is hereby established having powers, duties and functions as follows:

(1) With the exception of deferred compensation pursuant to Chapter 60A of this title and any other investment or retirement savings plan, the Administrator shall be responsible for the management and administration of all currently existing and future state employee benefits programs, including but not limited to group health, group life, flexible benefits, dental, vision, prescription, long-term care, disability and the Blood Bank.

(2) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall have such powers and duties with regard to the State Insurance Coverage Office as may be provided in the annual operating act.

(b) The Benefits and Insurance Administrator shall assume such other powers, duties and functions as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may assign which are not otherwise inconsistent with the laws of this state.

§6311A. Budget Development, Planning and Administration.

(a) The Budget Development, Planning and Administration Section of the Office of Management and Budget is hereby established, having the powers, duties and functions as follows:

(1) Oversees the preparation, presentation and implementation of the state’s operating and capital budgets;

(2) Directs the adaptation and implementation of effective fiscal and management policies and procedures;

(3) Manages the analysis of federal budgetary and financial issues including the administrative functions of the Delaware State Clearinghouse Committee; and

(4) Provides management direction to the Office of State Planning Coordination on planning policy direction and the analysis of potential impacts.

(b) The Administrator of the Budget Development, Planning and Administration Section shall assume such other powers, duties and functions as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may assign which are not otherwise inconsistent with the laws of this state.

§6312A. Functions prior to effective date of this chapter.

The Office of Management and Budget, through appropriate divisions, subdivisions and offices, shall have the power to perform and shall be responsible for the performance of all the powers, duties and functions vested in the Division of Facilities Management, Division of Support Services, Division of Graphics and Printing, and the State Architect within the former Department of Administrative Services immediately prior to the effective date of this chapter and which are not otherwise specifically assigned to the Office of Management and Budget by this chapter, excepting only those powers, duties and functions expressly vested in or retained by any such person, department, board, commission or agency.

§6313A. Appeals.

Any and all rights of appeal now existing by law, with respect to any act or acts constituting the exercise of any function or functions transferred by this chapter to the Office of Management and Budget or to any division or subdivision thereof, shall continue to exist with respect to such act or acts as hereafter performed by the Office of Management and Budget or by the division, subdivision or office to which such function is transferred, and each such appeal shall be perfected in the manner heretofore provided by law.

§6314A. Transfers and continuity.

(a) All books, records, papers, maps, charts, plans and other material including, but not limited to, any equipment in the possession of any agency of the State and used in connection with a function transferred by this chapter to the Office of Management and Budget shall, on the effective date of this chapter, be delivered into the custody of the said Office. All investigations, petitions, hearings and legal proceedings pending before or instituted by any agency from which functions are transferred by this chapter and not concluded prior to the effective date of this chapter shall continue unabated and remain in full force and effect, notwithstanding the passage of this chapter and, where necessary, may be completed before, by or in the name of the Office. All orders, rules and regulations made by any agency from which functions are transferred by this chapter and which govern such functions, and which are in effect upon the effective date of this chapter, shall remain in full force and effect until revoked or modified in accordance with law by the Office. All contracts and obligations of any agency made or undertaken in the performance of a function transferred to the Office by this chapter and being in force on the effective date of this chapter shall, notwithstanding this chapter, remain in full force and effect and be performed by the Office.

(b) Employees of any agency whose functions are consistent with and have been transferred to the Office of Management and Budget by this chapter shall continue and be deemed to be the employees of the said Office on the effective date of this chapter and, where applicable, with all the benefits accrued as merit employees as of the effective date of this chapter.

(c) All definitions and references to any commission, board, department, council or agency which appear in any other act or law shall, to the extent that they are consistent with this chapter and in connection with a function transferred to the Office of Management and Budget, be construed as referring and relating to the Office of Management and Budget as created and established by this chapter.

(d) All definitions and references to any director, commissioner, executive secretary, commission, board or council member or other similar person which appear in any other act or law shall, to the extent that they are consistent with this chapter and in connection with a function transferred by this chapter to the Office of Management and Budget, be construed as referring or relating to such person or persons and their powers, duties and functions as established and created by this chapter.

§6315A. Misnomer in donation.

Any misnomer shall not defeat or annul any gift, grant, devise or bequest to the Office of Management and Budget or any predecessor agency thereof if it sufficiently appears by the will, conveyance or other writing that the party making the same intended to pass and convey thereby to the Office or to any commission, board, department, authority, council or agency, to which, by this chapter, the powers, duties and functions have been transferred to the Office, the estate or interest therein expressed or described.

§6316A. Supremacy.

All other laws or parts of laws now in effect inconsistent with this chapter are repealed, superseded, modified or amended so far as necessary to conform to and give full force and effect to this chapter.”

Section 5. Amend §8807, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by re-designating said section as §8735, Title 29 of the Delaware Code.

Section 6. Amend §8735, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by adding the following new paragraph thereto at the end of the existing section:

“(o) The Secretary of State shall, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, also have the power to establish specific biennial renewal dates for professional licensure registration of Title 23 and Title 24 professional licensing boards in such manner as to promote the efficient administration of professional licensure renewal throughout each biennial period, and to provide for the imposition of licensure and related fees in accordance with §2320 (c) of this title.”

Section 7. Amend §8808, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by re-designating said section as §8716, Title 29 of the Delaware Code.

Section 8. Amend §8809, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by re-designating said section as §8717, Title 29 of the Delaware Code.

Section 9. Amend §8717, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by inserting the words “within the Department of State” immediately following the word “established” in the first sentence thereof.

Section 10. Amend §8703, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by adding new subsections (c) and (d) thereto as follows:

“(c) A Director of the Division of Public Utility Control who shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.

(d) A Director of the Division of Professional Regulation who shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.”

Section 11. Amend §8813, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by re-designating said section as §8734, Title 29 of the Delaware Code.

Section 12. To the extent that they may be under the administrative control of the Department of Administrative services as of the effective date of this Act, the staff of the following entities are transferred to the Department of State for budgetary and administrative purposes: the Public Employment Relations Board, the Merit Employees Relations Board, the Public Integrity Commission, the Division of Professional Regulation, the Office of the Public Advocate, the Public Service Commission, and the Office of Disability Affairs. Such employees shall be deemed to be employees of the Department of State, with all benefits they have accrued as merit employees as of the effective date of this Act.

Section 13. Amend §4006 (a), Title 14 of the Delaware Code by striking the words “Administrative Services” wherever they appear therein and substituting the word “State” in lieu thereof.

Section 14. Amend Title 29 of the Delaware Code by striking Chapter 88 thereof, as amended by this Act, in its entirety.

Section 15. Amend Subchapter II., Chapter 59, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by striking §§5910 and 5911 in their entirety, and re-designating §5912 as §5910.

Section 16. Amend those sections in Titles 7, 14, 16, 17, 21, 29 and 30 of the Delaware Code as listed below by striking all references to the Department of Administrative Services and the Secretary thereof, whether such references appear as “Department of Administrative Services”, “Secretary of the Department of Administrative Services”, or “Secretary of Administrative Services”, or any variation thereof in any grammatical form wherever they may appear in each section, and by substituting in lieu thereof the appropriate grammatical form of “Office of Management and Budget” or “Director of the Office of Management and Budget” as appropriate in context, except that where a specific subsection in a section of the Code is mentioned below, only references within that subsection shall be amended as set forth above:

(1) Title 7, §§7414, and 7804;

(2) Title 14, §§509, 1057 (a) (7) and (11), and 4203;

(3) Title 16, §§7803, 7804, 7805, 7806;

(4) Title 21, §4179;

(5) Title 29, §§401, 421, 422, 507, 559, 5084, 6313, 6342, 6505, 6516, 6902, 6906 (a) and (e), 6927, 6938, 6962, 6983, 7002, 7105, 7106, 7107, 7304, 7306, 8003, 8203, 8053, 8318, 9402, 9403, 9404, and 10114; and

(6) Title 30, §2901

Section 17. Amend those sections in Titles 23, 24 and 29 of the Delaware Code as listed below by striking all references to the Department of Administrative Services and the Secretary thereof, whether such references appear as “Department of Administrative Services”, “Secretary of the Department of Administrative Services”, or “Secretary of Administrative Services”, or any variation thereof in any grammatical form wherever they may appear in each section, and by substituting in lieu thereof the appropriate grammatical form of “Department of State” or “Secretary of State” as appropriate in context:

(1) Title 23, §§103, 106, 111, and 115;

(2) Title 24, §§902, 1733, 2912, and 5302;

(3) Title 29, §§8716, 8717, 8734, 8735, 10303, and 10304.

Section 18. Amend §8708, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by adding the following thereto:

“(10) Executive Director of the Public Employment Relations Board;

(11) Director of Professional Regulation;

(12) Director of the Public Service Commission; and

(13) Public Advocate”

Section 19. Amend Subchapter II §8734 through §8743, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by redesignating such Subchapter II sections as §8780 through §8789, Title 29 of the Delaware Code.

Section 20. Amend those sections in Titles 11, 14, 15, 18, 19, 29, and 31 of the Delaware Code as listed below by striking all references to the State Personnel Office and the Director thereof, whether such references appear as “State Personnel Office”, “Office of State Personnel”, “Personnel Office”, “State Personnel”, “Director of State Personnel”, “Director of the State Personnel Commission”, “State Personnel Director”, “Director of the Office of State Personnel”, “Personnel Director”, “Director of Personnel” or any variation thereof in any grammatical form wherever they may appear in each section, and by substituting in lieu thereof the appropriate grammatical form of “Office of Management and Budget” or “Director of the Office of Management and Budget” as appropriate in context, except that where a specific subsection in a section of the Code is mentioned below, only references within that subsection shall be amended as set forth above:

(1) Title 11, §6521;

(2) Title 14, §§121, 1327, and 9219;

(3) Title 15, §213;

(4) Title 18, §§3207, and 3208;

(5) Title 19, §§204, 2301B, and 3402;

(6) Title 29, §§2712, 3301, 5105, 5114, 5202 (f), 5901, 5903, 5904, 5904A, 5906, 5907, 5908, 5915, 5916, 5917, 5933, 5942, 5943, 5950, 5955 in the third sentence only, 5956, 6053, 6071, 6404 (e)(1) in the third sentence therein only, 6410 (a) and (b), 8308, 9015, 9604;

(7) Title 31, §1303;

Section 21. Amend those sections in Titles 1, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 26, 29 and 31 of the Delaware Code as listed below by striking all references to the State Budget Office and the Director thereof, whether such references appear as “State Budget Office”, “Office of the Budget”, “Budget Office”, “Director of the State Budget Office”, “Director of the Budget Office”, “Director of the Budget”, “State Budget Director”, “Budget Director” or any variation thereof in any grammatical form wherever they may appear in each section, and by substituting in lieu thereof the appropriate grammatical form of “Office of Management and Budget” or “Director of the Office of Management and Budget” as appropriate in context, except that where a specific subsection in a section of the Code is mentioned below, only references within that subsection shall be amended as set forth above:

(1) Title 1, §108 (a) (10);

(2) Title 3, §§921, 10009, and 10108;

(3) Title 6, §7329;

(4) Title 7, §§6005, and 6041,

(5) Title 10, §§306, 504, 908, 1963, and 9211;

(6) Title 11, §§4101, 4113, and 8901;

(7) Title 14, §§223, 512, 1057, 1504, 1507, 1702, 1703, 1707, 1719, 1913, 2107, 2602, 2804, 3124, 3402, 3703, 4202, 5106, and 9219;

(8) Title 16, §§1102, 4784, 6607, 9814, and 9921;

(9) Title 17, §§137 (b)(3), 1601, and 1602;

(10) Title 18, §711;

(11) Title 20, §3108;

(12) Title 26, §116;

(13) Title 29, §§1110, 2202, 2203, 2906, 2909, 5018, 5028, 5053, 5106, 5112, 5202 (d)(3), 5301, 5505, 5903, 5915, 5916, 6102, 6102A, 6331, 6332, 6333, 6334, 6335, 6340, 6342, 6344, 6404 (g)(2)b., 6404 (g)(3), 6404 (h)(3), 6410 (a) and (b), 6405A, 6406A, 6502, 6503, 6504, 6513, 6514, 6516, 6519, 6527, 6528, 6529, 6530, 6533, 6604A, 6605A, 6906(b) and (c), 7414, 7419 (b), 7420, 7422, 7426, 7510, 7511, 7523, 7525, 7601, 7603, 7919, 8054 (a)(9), 8231, 8304, 9015 (b), (c) and (d), 9004C, 9005C, 9006C, 9008C, 9009C, 9010C, 9011C, 9014C, 9505, 9602, 10502, and 10503.

(14) Title 31, §§521, and 4020.

Section 22. Amend those sections in Titles 1, 14 ,16 ,29 and 30 of the Delaware Code as listed below by striking all references to the Division of Support Services, whether such references appear as “Division of Support Services”, “Support Services”, or any variation thereof in any grammatical form wherever they may appear in each section, and by substituting in lieu thereof the appropriate grammatical form of “Government Support Services” as appropriate in context, except that where a specific subsection in a section of the Code is mentioned below, only references within that subsection shall be amended as set forth above:

(1) Title 1, §§108, and 220;

(2) Title 14, §4203 (5);

(3) Title 16, §§9603 and 9604;

(4) Title 29, §§6505,6901, 6902, 6906, 7002 ,and 7105;

(5) Title 30, §2901.

Section 25. Amend those sections in Titles 19 and 29 of the Delaware Code as listed below by striking all references to the State Personnel Office and the Director thereof, whether such references appear as “State Personnel Office”, “Office of State Personnel”, “Personnel Office”, “State Personnel”, “Director of State Personnel”, “Director of the State Personnel Commission”, “State Personnel Director”, “Personnel Director”, “Director of Personnel” or any variation thereof in any grammatical form wherever they may appear in each section, and by substituting in lieu thereof the appropriate grammatical form of “ Human Resources Management of the Office of Management and Budget” or “ Human Resources Management Administrator of the Office of Management and Budget” as appropriate in context:

(1) Title 19, §3402;

(2) Title 29, §§5903 (16), 5903 (23) in the second paragraph thereof only, 5907, 5916 (f), 6404 (e)(1) in the second sentence thereof only, 9010C. (b).

Section 26. Amend those sections in Titles 1 and 29 of the Delaware Code as listed below, by striking all references to “Director of State Personnel”, “Director of the State Personnel Commission”, “State Personnel Director”, “Personnel Director”, “Director of Personnel”, “Office of Personnel” or any variation thereof in any grammatical form wherever they may appear in each section:

(1) Title 1, §108 (a)(10);

(2) Title 29, §5106, 5202 (f), 5903 (17) c., 5903 (23) in the first paragraph thereof only, 5916 (b) and (d), 9015 (d).

Section 27. Amend §6342, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting the last sentence thereof in its entirety.

Section 28. Amend §6906 (b), Title 29 of the Delaware code by deleting “, the Controller General, and the Secretary of Administrative Service,” therefrom and substituting “and the Controller General” in lieu thereof.

Section 29. Amend §6906 (c), Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting “, the Controller General and the Secretary of Administrative Services” therefrom and substituting “and the Controller General” in lieu thereof.

Section 30. Amend §1057 (a)(7), Title 14 of the Delaware Code by deleting the words “the Budget Director and” from the second sentence thereof.

Section 31. Amend §1057 (a)(11), Title 14 of the Delaware Code by deleting the words “the Budget Director and” from the second sentence thereof.

Section 32. Amend §1057 (a)(12), Title 14 of the Delaware Code by deleting the words “Secretary of Administrative Services” therefrom and substituting the words “Facilities Management of the Office of Management and Budget” in lieu thereof.

Section 33. Amend §137 (b)(3), Title 17 of the Delaware Code by deleting “the Secretary of Administrative Services,” from the last sentence thereof.

Section 34. Amend §5915 (b), Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting “, State Budget Director” from the first sentence thereof.

Section 35. Amend §6404 (e)(1), Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting “the Budget Director and” from the third sentence thereof.

Section 36. Amend §5942(b), Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting “Budget Director,” from the second sentence thereof.

Section 37. Amend §7419(a), Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting the words “Department of Administrative Services” wherever they may appear therein and substituting the words “Facilities Management of the Office of Management and Budget” in lieu thereof; and further amend said §7419(a) by deleting the words “coordinate its review and approval process with the Budget Office to” from the last sentence thereof.

Section 38. Amend §8054 (a), Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting subsection (2) therefrom in its entirety; and further amend said §8054(a) by renumbering the remaining subsections (3) through (10), as (2) through (9).

Section 39. Amend §9602 (a), Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting said section in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

“(a) There is hereby established a State Employee Benefits Committee ("Committee"). The Committee shall be comprised of the Insurance Commissioner, the State Treasurer, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Controller General, the Secretary of Finance and the Benefits and Insurance Administrator, or their designees. The Benefits and Insurance Administrator shall chair the Committee.”

Section 40. Amend §9602 (c) Title 29 of the Delaware Code by deleting therefrom the words “State Personnel Director” and substituting in lieu thereof “the Benefits and Insurance Administrator”.

Section 41. Any rules and regulations of any agency, department, office, board, commission or officer thereof affected by or mentioned in this Act, which were promulgated prior to the effective date of this act, shall remain in full force and effect until otherwise modified in accordance with Delaware law; provided that if any rule or regulation heretofore adopted shall conflict with any of the provisions of this act, the language contained in this act shall prevail over that contained in such rule or regulation.

Section 42. If any provision of this Act, or of any rule, regulation or order thereunder, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstances, shall be invalid, the remainder of this Act and the application of such provisions of this Act or of such rule, regulation or order to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby.

Section 43. The provisions of this legislation shall be effective July 1, 2005.

Approved June 30, 2005