On September 4, 2014, Gov. Jack Markell signed House Bill 13 into law.

Under the bill, any person who served as a member of the Delaware General Assembly is prohibited from acting as a lobbyist for one year after the person’s term of office is completed.

The bill takes effect January 1, 2017.

Gov. Jack Markell has called a special legislative session to convene October 8, 2014.

The purpose of the special session is to confirm a new state Supreme Court justice after the abrupt resignation of sitting Justice Carolyn Berger.

The nominee, Leo Shrine, currently sits on the bench of the Delaware Chancery Court.

Two important campaign finance bills have passed the Delaware General Assembly and are on their way to Gov. Jack Markell’s desk.

House Substitute No. 1 to House Bill 302 consolidates the three existing county boards of election into one state board with 11 members. The bill also authorizes the state election commissioner to prepare and publish manuals explaining the state’s campaign finance requirements to individuals, political committees, and others affected by the law.

House Bill 301 requires contributions from joint accounts to be attributed to the person authorizing the payment and establishes procedures for reallocation of contributions from joint accounts.

If the governor signs these bills, House Substitute No. 1 to House BIll 302 becomes effective January 1, 2015, and House Bill 301 becomes effective July 1, 2015.

Governor Jack Markell signed Senate Bill 212 into law in an effort to improve the online presence and public notice capabilities of the state’s procurement office.

The bill mandates that the state create, by May 1, 2013, a one-stop website which will post all bids with an estimated value of more than $50,000.

This website must be accessible to all contractors and the general public. Further, the website will allow the state’s municipalities to advertise their bidding opportunities on the same site.

A bill requiring lobbyists to disclose all legislation they are trying to influence will be introduced into the Delaware Senate, possibly as soon as this week.

Senate Bill 185, as proposed by Senator Anthony J. DeLuca and endorsed by Governor Jack Markell and members of both parties of the General Assembly, mandates lobbyists report to the Public Integrity Commission the identity, by number, of each bill, resolution, or regulation for which the lobbyist has tried to promote, advocate, influence, or oppose. Disclosure of the name of the employer on whose behalf such direct communication occurred is also required.

Additionally, lobbying relating to any subject contained within any budget appropriation bill or bond and capital improvement bill must also include identification of the specific subject of the direct communication. Reports will be due within five business day after the date the first direct communication with a relevant public official regarding bills, resolutions, and regulations takes place. The bill provides for electronic filing of registration and reporting with the Public Integrity Commission.

The Commission will make the reports available online in a manner which can be easily reviewed by bill, resolution, regulation, lobbyist, or employer.