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Delaware oversight staff outline review types, public access and upcoming focused reviews
Summary
Committee staff presented an orientation on legislative oversight, explaining full and focused statutory reviews, transparency/FOIA procedures, recent staff accomplishments (12 reports covering 11 entities) and an upcoming focused review of Department of Labor claimant services.
Committee staff presented an abbreviated orientation to the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee on the panel’s role, review types and public-facing work. Amanda Wade McAtee and Ben Kowal told members that oversight exists to ensure public entities operate legally and efficiently, and that the committee’s work produces public staff reports with findings and recommendations.
Staff explained there are two statutory review types: a full review, which examines an entire entity within a scope set by statute, and a focused review that targets a specific component such as a statute, rule, regulation or program. "The focused review is a more targeted review," staff said, noting focused reviews allow the committee to be responsive and maximize resources.
McAtee said the committee released 12 reports last session that covered 11 entities and that staff are currently working on four focused reviews. She also gave a near-term example: the committee has scheduled a focused review of Department of Labor claimant services for next Thursday. "If my memory serves correctly, the total is 6, since I came on in 2019," McAtee said when asked how often the committee has actually sunsetted an entity, citing staff records.
Staff reviewed the committee’s tools — research, performance evaluations, public meetings and legislative drafting — and said adoption of JLOSC recommendations requires seven votes. They reiterated transparency practices: reports, presentation files and meeting replays are posted on the Delaware General Assembly website, and FOIA requests should be forwarded to JLOC staff and the legislature’s FOIA coordinator, Mark Catrona.
The presentation also noted staff professional development and external recognition: the committee’s report on infrastructure readiness for electric vehicles, produced with library staff including Joel Redneck and Grace Falla, was selected as a 2025 NCSL notable document. Staff closed by inviting questions and offering follow-up on targeted review topics and communications about the committee’s work.
