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Senate approves bill to count virtual participants toward quorum on oversight committee
Summary
Senate Bill 54 changes quorum counting rules for the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee so members participating virtually are counted toward quorum; the measure passed by roll call on April 8.
Senate Bill 54, which modifies quorum rules for the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee, passed the Delaware Senate on April 8 after the sponsor explained the change and the chamber recorded a roll call.
Sponsor Senator Hoffner told the Senate the bill "removes the language that the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee member who participates in a meeting virtually is not counted for quorum purposes but is counted when they vote on motions." Under SB 54, a member participating virtually will be counted toward quorum and also counted when voting on a motion.
Why it matters: the bill aligns the committee’s quorum rule with other commonly used legislative participation practices, allowing the oversight committee to count remote members toward the quorum so meetings and votes can proceed when some members join virtually.
Senators held a roll call after the explanation; the assistant secretary recorded the result as "20 1 yes," and the presiding officer declared SB 54 passed. No floor amendments were recorded during the session.
Formal action - Senate Bill 54 (Title: "An act to amend Title 29 of the Delaware Code relating to the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee"): Passed on roll call (recorded as "20 1 yes"). Sponsor: Senator Hoffner. Outcome: approved.
Senators later announced committee meeting schedules and other business for the next day.
