(a) It is essential to the maintenance of a healthy state economy and of a government that has the confidence of its citizens that the State establish a system of periodic legislative review of its agencies. This review of agency performance and activities is consistent with other activities and goals of the General Assembly. The primary purpose of this review is to determine whether there is a genuine public need for the agency under review and, if so, to determine whether the agency is correctly performing to meet that need.
(b) The purpose of this chapter is to provide an action-forcing mechanism designed to increase the accountability of various agencies through increased legislative scrutiny of agencies and their activities. The intent of the General Assembly is to establish a timetable for the initial review of certain agencies, and ultimately to review all agencies established by or receiving financial assistance from the State. The action-forcing mechanism is to terminate agencies under review on certain dates, unless affirmatively re-established by law.
(c) The purpose of this chapter is not to terminate agencies which are sufficiently meeting a recognized State need and which are accountable to and responsive to the public interests. Rather, the purpose of this chapter is to use the review mechanism to strengthen and support these agencies.
Structure Delaware Code
Chapter 102. DELAWARE LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT AND SUNSET ACT
§ 10202. Declaration of policy.
§ 10204. Committee staff; appropriations.
§ 10205. Committee rules and regulations.
§ 10206. Committee subpoena powers.
§ 10207. Agency reports to the Committee.
§ 10209. Committee responsibilities and duties.
§ 10212. Agency “rules review”.
§ 10214. Committee recommendations and authority to recall an agency.
§ 10216. Termination of an agency; re-establishment.
§ 10217. Concluding year for terminated agencies.