Delaware-2015-HCR38-Engrossed

WHEREAS, the mission of the Port of Wilmington states that it strives "to contribute to Delaware's economic vitality by sustaining and promoting the Port of Wilmington as a competitive and viable full service, multi-modal operation by providing for the efficient, economical, and safe handling of cargo;" and

WHEREAS, the Port of Wilmington successfully handles more than 400 vessels and 5 million tons of cargo annually; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Wilmington is the primary national terminal for importing several products including fresh fruits and juice; and

WHEREAS, the expansion of the Panama Canal scheduled to be completed by December 2015 will effectively double the canal's capacity, which may in turn provide an opportunity for the expansion of the Port of Wilmington, given its strategic location; and

WHEREAS, expanding the export operations at the Port would require a detailed analysis to determine if the Port has the capacity to accommodate such an expansion; and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Delaware General Assembly to establish a Port of Wilmington Expansion Task Force with the special duty of studying the feasibility of expanding the Port's operations and making recommendations to the General Assembly;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 148^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that a Port of Wilmington Expansion Task Force (hereinafter referred to as "Task Force") is hereby established, consisting of the following members:

1. A member of the House Majority Caucus, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

2. A member of the House Minority Caucus, appointed by the House Minority Leader;

3. A member of the Senate Majority Caucus,appointed by the President Pro Tempore;

4. A member of the Senate Minority Caucus, appointed by the Senate Minority Leader;

5. The Secretary of State or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

6. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

7. The Secretary of the Department of Labor or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

8. The Secretary of Department of Transportation or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

9. The Secretary of Department of Finance or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

10. The Director of the Economic Development Office or designee appointed by the Director;

11. The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) or a designee appointed by the Secretary;

12. A representative of the State Chamber of Commerce;

13. A member of the public appointed by the Governor; and

14. A member of the public appointed by the Mayor of the City of Wilmington.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint a co-chairperson and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall appoint a co-chairperson.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairpersons shall set the date, time, and place for the initial meeting and ask the leadership of each of the following organizations to designate a representative from each organization to serve on the Task Force:

1. International Longshoreman's Association 1694;

2. International Longshoreman's Association Local 1694-1;

3. Longshoremen's Association Local 1883 - Clerks and Checkers;

4. Longshoremen's Association Local 1884;

5. The Diamond State Port Corporation's advisory board, with the representative experienced in stevedoring;

6. The Diamond State Port Corporation's advisory board, with the representative experienced in warehousing;

7. Teamsters Local Union 326 at Diamond State Port Corporation; and

8. Diamond State Port Corporation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the staff of the chairpersons shall assist the Task Force.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force shall issue a report examining the feasibility of increasing the Port's capacity for expansion, including the potential for new clients, increased jobs, agricultural products for exports, and other recommendations. This report should include potential beneficial economic impacts of the identified expansion opportunities, time needed for implementation, and any anticipated action the General Assembly may need to take. This report shall be submitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President ProTempore of the Senate no later than January 15, 2016, with a copy to the Governor and to the Director of the Division of Research of Legislative Council and to the Delaware Public Archives.

SPONSOR:	Rep. Potter & Rep. J. Johnson & Rep. Bolden & Sen. Henry
	Reps. Baumbach, Briggs King, Carson, Keeley, Kowalko, B. Short, K. Williams, Wilson