Bill > SB346

This bill modifies Delaware's laws concerning appeals to the Environmental Appeals Board, which is a body that reviews decisions made by the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Key changes include establishing clearer timelines for the Board to schedule and complete hearings on appeals, reducing the time for the Board to issue a written decision after a hearing from 90 to 60 days, and specifying that if the Board fails to meet these deadlines, the Secretary's original decision becomes final. The bill also clarifies what constitutes the official record for appeals, allowing for emails to be part of the record if they were transmitted to the Secretary, but excluding other email communications not involving the Secretary unless they are public comments. Additionally, it outlines specific circumstances where decisions by the Secretary are not appealable, such as those related to consistency with the federal Coastal Zone Management Act or denials of permits on state-owned land, unless the denial is based on discriminatory treatment.