153rd Delaware House allows remote attendance with Speaker approval

The Speaker may allow a House member to join a special session remotely. This covers Delaware’s 153rd House in special sessions before the second Tuesday in January or on or after July 1. It includes sessions called under Delaware’s Constitution. Enough House members to conduct business must meet in Dover. The member must explain the request in writing. The Speaker must answer in writing and give reasons for any denial. The member must send the request at least two hours before the House is scheduled to meet that day.

An approved remote member must use a link that checks their identity and actions and shares their remarks. This applies to approved members joining a special session of Delaware’s 153rd House remotely. Other members and the public must be able to hear or read their remarks. A camera failure or other unusual circumstance can excuse video while speaking if identity checks and access to remarks still work. The member must appear on camera to vote or answer an attendance call.

The House must call each member’s name for every vote when anyone joins remotely. This applies during a special session of Delaware’s 153rd House. Approved remote members can vote as though present, and their actions have the same legal effect.