Why Should Delaware Care?
Government works best when its citizens are knowledgeable and engaged. Delaware’s government has scores of commissions, working groups, agencies and legislative committees. All must hold meetings that are open to the public. Below we highlight a few of those meetings that are happening this week.
Spring has sprung in Delaware, and many schools across the state along with the General Assembly are not in session this week. Nevertheless, the gears of Delaware’s government apparatus keep turning. Below are some of the most important or interesting public meetings happening around the state this week.
- State officials to discuss proposed bill to regulate AI company formation
- Newark planning officials to consider smoke shop policy changes
- Kent County Levy Court commissioners to workshop budget proposals
State leaders to review draft AI Company formation rules
State officials are set to meet on Friday to review draft legislation that would regulate how AI companies are incorporated in Delaware.
Members of the Delaware Artificial Intelligence Commission’s Subcommittee on the Regulatory Sandbox Agenda will review a draft version of the Artificially Intelligent Company Act, or AIC Act, at noon on Friday.
The commission, according to its website, is tasked with providing recommendations to lawmakers and other state leaders about “legislative and executive actions” related to AI in Delaware.
The draft legislation outlines policies and procedures that AI companies would follow if they want to incorporate in the state.
The annual corporate franchise tax these AI companies would be required to pay is not included in the draft legislation.
It is unclear if and when the full AI Commission will review the draft bill. It also is unclear if any lawmakers plan to introduce the AIC Act this year.
📍 The Delaware Artificial Intelligence Commission’s subcommittee is scheduled to meet at 12 p.m. Friday at the FinTech Innovation Hub, located at 591 Collaboration Way in Newark. For more details, including information about virtual attendance, click here.
Newark leaders discuss smoke shop regulations
The Newark Planning Commission is set to meet Tuesday night to review changes to the city’s zoning code that would restrict where new smoke shops could be built in the city.
The proposed changes would require, in most cases, new smoke shops to receive approval from city council in order to be built.
It would also make all current smoke shops considered a “non-transferrable legal nonconforming use.” That means that if a current smoke shop were to be sold to a new owner, that new owner would need to apply for the special city council approval in order to keep operating.
According to a city report, planning department employees recommend these new regulations to “protect the public health, safety, and welfare.”
📍 The Newark Planning Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday inside Council Chambers at the Newark Municipal Building, located at 220 S. Main St. in Newark. For more details, including information about virtual attendance, click here.
Delaware’s budget season continues
Budget season continues across the state this week, with members of the Kent County Levy Court scheduled to host workshops on both Tuesday and Wednesday night to discuss proposed budgets for different county departments.
Tuesday’s workshop will include discussions about the facilitates and community services departments, as well as the county administrator’s office.
Wednesday’s workshop will feature discussions about the sheriff’s office and the register of wills, along with the information technology, human resources and central administration departments.
📍 Kent County Levy Court is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday inside Caucus Room 230 inside the Kent County Levy Court Building, located at 555 Bay Rd. in Dover. For more details, including information about virtual attendance, click here.
