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Delaware Civil Unions Passage: SB30 146th Senate Administrative Services Committee Chaired by Senator Mike Katz: The Story Behind How the Bill Got Out of Committee.
The passage of SB30 in the 146th Senate was landmark legislation that opened the floodgates in Delaware for equality. Few know the behind the scenes stories, road blocks, and struggles of how SB30 was managed through the Senate Administrative Services Committee to subsequently be signed out of The Senate Administrative Services Committee.
Through significant obstacles and Senate divide, Senator Katz created significant behind the scenes pressure and leverage to overcome Senate resistance to signing SB30 out of the Senate Committee. Only a select few know that, at the conclusion of the Senate hearing of SB30, there were not enough signatures in support of the Bill to move SB30 out of committee for a full Senate hearing.
Once Senator Katz was able obtain the required number of signatures through leverage and behind the scenes negotiations to move SB30 out of the Senate Administrative Services Committee, the Bill was then able to move to the Senate floor for passage, followed by passage in the Delaware House and finally to be signed into law by Governor Markell.
As the Chair, Senator Katz was completely committed to efficiently and effectively moving SB30 through the Senate Administrative Services Committee to enable it to be heard and voted upon by the entire Senate. But Senator Katz knew that this Bill had high visibility and would attract significant interference.
Senator Katz, through careful planning and management, was able to overcome behind the scenes Democratic Senate undermining and obstruction, including dealing with Democratic Committee members who were instructed to not sign the Bill out of Committee.
Over the years, the passage of SB30 resulted in opening the doors for the passage of further legislation to improve and expand equality for all Delawareans.
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