AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE PUBLICATION OF STATE PUBLIC INTEGRITY COMMISSION REPORTS.
Summary
HB 155, as amended by House Substitute 1, requires the Delaware State Public Integrity Commission to make its reports publicly available on the Commission’s website. The bill applies both to the Commission’s annual report and any other reports or studies it prepares, and it also adds a requirement that reports filed with the Commission under the relevant subchapter be posted online. The measure is aimed at improving public access to ethics-related information and Commission records.
The bill also updates the retention/public inspection provisions in Title 29 so that, in addition to being available for inspection and copying during reasonable hours, covered reports must be published on the Commission’s website. The substitute version clarifies that both reports prepared by the Commission and reports filed with it are subject to online publication. The act takes effect on January 1 following enactment.
Impact
This bill amends Title 29 of the Delaware Code, specifically the provisions governing the State Public Integrity Commission’s powers and duties and the retention of reports. It creates an explicit statutory obligation for the Commission to post its own reports and studies online, and it adds a separate requirement for reports filed under the subchapter to be made available on the Commission’s website. The practical effect is to expand public transparency and reduce reliance on in-person inspection under Chapter 100.
Sentiment
The available context suggests a generally positive and noncontroversial reception, with the bill framed as a transparency measure. The substitute bill’s synopsis indicates support for the underlying goal of public access while refining the language to ensure both filed and Commission-prepared reports are covered. No committee transcript or recorded vote information is provided, so there is no evidence of organized opposition in the materials supplied.
Contention
The main point of drafting refinement appears to be scope: House Substitute 1 clarifies that not only reports prepared by the State Public Integrity Commission, but also reports filed with it, must be posted on the Commission’s website. Another minor change is the effective date, moved to January 1 after enactment. Because no debate transcript or vote record is included, no substantive policy dispute is evident in the provided materials.