Earlier this year, State Rep. Lyndon Yearick (R-Camden, Woodside) introduced House Bill 428, a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a “Crossover Day” in Delaware.
Under the amendment, each chamber of the General Assembly would be prohibited from passing bills and sending them to the other chamber (crossing over) after June 20, 10 days before the end of the legislative session.
The state’s annual funding measures — the Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and Grants-in-Aid bill — would be exempt, as they are typically not finalized until the closing days of the session.
Unfortunately, the proposal was bottled up in the House Administration Committee and not allowed to advance. However, Rep. Yearick has promised to refile it in the 154th General Assembly, citing the end of this year’s session as evidence of its need.
Legislators conducted a marathon session on June 30, working past 5 AM on July 1 before adjourning. Combined, the House and Senate acted on approximately 100 bills and resolutions during those final hours.
“A Crossover Day may have helped curtail the kind of audacious activity we witnessed this year by limiting the number of bills available to be worked,” Rep. Yearick said. “We have a two-year legislative session. There is no excuse for voting on dozens of bills in the last few hours, rushed through the process without proper consideration, debate, or public input. Legislators in both chambers were often making snap decisions on complicated bills within minutes that could carry significant consequences for years.
“Currently, 26 states, including Maryland, have Crossover Day deadlines,” Rep. Yearick continued. “I think it is past time for Delaware to follow their example.”
