Delaware General Assembly





CHAPTER 356

FORMERLY

SENATE BILL NO. 178

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC HEARINGS.

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

Section 1. Amend §10117, Title 29, Delaware Code by making insertions as shown by underlining and deletions as shown by strike through as follows:

§ 10117. Public hearings.

When an agency is required by law to hold public hearings before adopting, amending or repealing a regulation and, otherwise, if an agency in its discretion determines to hold public hearings, in addition to giving opportunity for the submission of written materials, the following shall apply to the conduct of such hearings:

(1) The hearing shall be conducted either by the agency or by a subordinate designated by the agency for that purpose who shall be empowered in connection with such hearing to:

a. Issue subpoenas, in the agency's sole discretion, for witnesses or other evidence, on the agency's initiative or at the request of any person;

b. Administer oaths to witnesses; and

c. Exclude irrelevant, immaterial, insubstantial, cumulative, privileged matter and unduly repetitive proofs, rebuttals and cross-examination.

(2) A record from which a verbatim transcript can be prepared shall be made of all hearings. The expense of preparing any transcript shall be borne by the person requesting it.

(3) If the hearing notice includes a specific length of time for the holding of the hearing, the hearing shall not adjourn prior to the end of that length of time.

Section 2. Amend §10118, Title 29, Delaware Code by making insertions as shown by underlining and deletions as shown by strike through as follows:

(a) The opportunity for public comment shall be held open for a minimum of 30 days after the proposal is published in the Register of Regulations. The opportunity for public written comment shall be extended for a minimum of 15 days after the final public hearing when one or more public hearings are held on the proposal.

Approved July 20, 2012