(a) The Council on Development Finance is hereby established and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Director and shall consider matters relating to the financing and modernization of agricultural, industrial, commercial, emerging technologies and other facilities in the State and such other matters as may be referred to it by the Governor, or by the Director. The Council may study research, plan and advise the Director and the Governor on matters relating to economic development and strategic opportunities. The Council may consider projects and initiatives proposed by a Public/Private Partnership and make recommendations to the Division.

(b) (1) The Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the Controller General shall appoint 1 designee from each of their respective offices to support the staff of the Council. Upon request of the Council, the designees shall assist the Council by providing relevant analysis and research. The designees must be available to attend all Council meetings.

(2) The Chair of the Council, with prior notice to the Controller General, may engage professional contractual services when necessary to provide analysis and research for specific applications recommended to the Council by the Division of Small Business. The Office of the Controller General shall administer contracts for such services.

(c) The Council shall be composed of 9 members who are Delaware residents. The Governor shall appoint 7 members:

(d) At least 3, but no more than 4 members of the Council shall be affiliated with 1 of the major political parties and at least 2, but no more than 3 of the members shall be affiliated with the other major political party; provided however, that there shall be more than a bare majority representation of 1 major political party over the other major political party. Any person who declines to announce a political affiliation shall also be eligible for appointment as a member of the Council.

(e) In making appointments to the Council, the Governor shall appoint professionals possessing 1 or more of the following designations:

(f) Members of the Council shall serve without compensation, except that they may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incident of their duties as members in accordance with state law.

(g) Chairperson of the Council shall be appointed by the Governor. Such Chairperson shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(h) Any appointment, pursuant to this section, to replace a member whose position becomes vacant prior to the expiration of the member’s term shall be filled only for the remainder of that term. However, a person who is appointed to fill such a vacancy may be reappointed. Any person appointed to fill such a vacancy after July 1, 2018, may be reappointed for only 2, 3-year terms.

(i) The Council shall conduct its business only when a quorum is present. A quorum shall consist of 5 of the 9 members being present in person, by telephone, or by videoconference. The consent of a majority of the quorum is required for approval on any vote. Upon written request from the Council, the Governor may declare a vacancy for any member who is absent from 4 consecutive Council meetings. The Council Chair should schedule meetings so that they are centrally located and geographically balanced in number.

63 Del. Laws, c. 189, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 308, § 37; 76 Del. Laws, c. 79, § 56; 76 Del. Laws, c. 361, § 1, 2; 81 Del. Laws, c. 49, § 1; 81 Del. Laws, c. 374, § 5.