An amendment to enshrine the right to marry in the Delaware Constitution advanced March 11, clearing the House Administration Committee and moving closer to completing its first of two legislative hurdles.

Backed by state Sen. Russ Huxtable, the proposed amendment would recognize the right of individuals to marry as “a fundamental right.”

It adds that such rights may not be abridged or denied “on account of any basis protected” in Delaware’s most sacred legislative document, according to the bill pushing it forward. That includes race, sex, gender or national origin, to name a few. The amendment would also not “infringe upon the right to freedom of religion.”

Should this become law, all legally binding marriages under Delaware law “must be treated equally.” That also includes laws pertaining to married spouses or children of wedded spouses. 

In other legislative news: Delaware advances another bill related to property reassessment tools

Delaware already legalized same-sex marriage in 2013 – two years before the U.S. Supreme Court made its historical decision in the case Obergefell v. Hodges.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A major bill aimed at raising pay for high school coaches and tightening student-athlete transfer rules is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk after lawmakers approved the final version of legislation originally filed as CS/HB 731.

The House debated and advanced its version before taking up the Senate companion bill, which ultimately passed both chambers and now awaits the governor’s signature.

The legislation allows school districts to approve booster clubs using voluntary donations to help compensate coaches and other extracurricular sponsors. It also gives superintendents the authority, at a coach’s request, to designate them as administrative personnel, allowing their coaching compensation to be negotiated independently.

What they’re saying:

“The bill cleans up student eligibility and participation requirements,” sponsor Rep. David Abbott said on the House floor. It also “fixes the transfers for athletics issues we are experiencing” and allows booster clubs “to compensate coaches, directors and sponsors of extracurricular activities.”

In closing, Abbott emphasized the measure extends beyond athletics.

“It’s not just coaches,” he said. “This extracurricular sponsor — I can’t imagine what the next STEM club’s going to look like when some of the engineers in town start sponsoring that STEM club sponsor.”

He added, “Coaches and band directors and sponsors many times have the most profound effect on the outcome of our students’ lives. It’s time that we start addressing compensating them fairly.”

Rep. Adam Anderson called the proposal “truly game-changing.”

“We’re losing some of the most valuable mentors to our students every single day to our neighbors,” Anderson said. “When we support the next generation of Floridians, Florida wins.”

Rep. Kimberly Daniels shared her personal story.

“If it were not for coaches in my life, I don’t know where I would be right now,” she said.

“When I was too embarrassed to call my mother, my father… I called that coach,” she said. “Coaches are part of the fabric of our community.”

READ: Florida law to require EKG screenings for high school athletes: Here’s when it goes into effect

Big picture view:

The proposal sparked debate over whether it prioritizes athletics over academics and whether it could create inequities between schools.

One Democratic lawmaker warned the bill “sends the wrong message,” arguing it could “create Title IX issues” and widen gaps between wealthier schools and lower-income districts.

“You’re gonna create ‘have-and-have-not’ issues because schools in high socioeconomic areas will be able to raise more money,” she said. “This isn’t what education’s about.”

At one point, a critic questioned whether the bill signals that “we’re valuing sports over academics.”

Abbott pushed back.

“No, we are not,” he said earlier in the debate. “Matter of fact, we’re doing exactly the opposite. We’re putting academics before athletics.”

Lawmakers also pressed Abbott about potential legal exposure tied to booster-funded compensation.

“They’re not going to sue coaches, they’re going to sue the school districts, because the school district are the ones who put the policies in place,” he said.

The bill does not explicitly spell out liability protections.

In addition to compensation changes, the legislation tightens student eligibility and transfer rules amid concerns about a growing “transfer culture” in high school sports.

It requires the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt sport-specific manuals and formalizes appeals procedures for eligibility decisions.

What’s next:

The final version of the legislation has cleared both chambers and now heads to DeSantis.

If signed, it will take effect July 1, 2026.

Strong storms are moving across parts of Georgia Thursday morning, bringing the threat of damaging winds, heavy rain and possible brief tornadoes.

The National Weather Service says a Tornado Watch remains in effect until 9 a.m. for parts of central and east-central Georgia, even as the threat begins to shift east.

Earlier Thursday, the watch covered a much larger portion of the state. However, the National Weather Service cancelled the tornado watch for 19 counties in north-central and west-central Georgia as storms moved out of those areas.

Counties where the watch has been cancelled include Clayton, Fayette, Henry and Rockdale in the metro Atlanta area, along with Coweta, Harris, Muscogee, Troup, Spalding and several others in west-central Georgia. Cities such as Columbus, Peachtree City, Griffin and Newnan are no longer under the watch.

Tornado watch continues for central and east-central Georgia

Forecasters say 23 counties in central Georgia remain under the tornado watch until 9 a.m., including Bibb, Houston, Baldwin, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam and Twiggs counties.

Communities such as Macon, Warner Robins, Milledgeville, Cordele, Forsyth and Hawkinsville remain within the watch area.

The National Weather Service has also expanded the watch eastward to include 17 counties in central and east-central Georgia, including Dodge, Laurens, Emanuel, Washington, Wilkes and Jefferson counties. Cities such as Dublin, Vidalia, Sandersville and Swainsboro are now included in the watch.

Storm threats still include damaging winds and heavy rain

CBS News Atlanta meteorologist Troy Bridges said a line of strong to severe thunderstorms continues to move east across the region.

Radar shows storms moving at about 35 mph, with the potential to produce damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, small hail and isolated tornadoes.

Earlier Thursday morning, a tornado warning was issued for parts of Marion, Chattahoochee and Webster counties, though that warning expired shortly before 6 a.m. after the immediate tornado threat weakened.

Even where the tornado threat is decreasing, the National Weather Service warns the storms could still produce frequent lightning, heavy rain and strong winds capable of damaging trees, roofs and siding.

Bridges also says localized flooding could develop during the morning commute in areas hit by heavier downpours. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form, while a tornado warning means a tornado has been detected by radar or spotted on the ground.

The severe weather threat is expected to gradually diminish later Thursday morning as the storm system continues moving east across Georgia.

Georgia school delays, closings 

Several school districts across Georgia are delaying the start of classes on Thursday because of the threat of severe weather.

Officials with the Meriwether County School System announced a 2-hour delay, citing the approaching storm system and the possibility of severe weather. School buses will run two hours behind their normal schedule, and grab-and-go breakfast will be available for students upon arrival.

The Troup County School System also announced a 2-hour delay out of an abundance of caution due to updated forecasts showing possible severe weather. Bus schedules will run 2 hours behind normal times, and breakfast will be available for students when they arrive.

Meanwhile, Rockdale County Public Schools said all schools will operate on a 2-hour delay because of the tornado watch in the area. Officials said normal operations will resume on the delayed schedule, and dismissal times will remain unchanged.

Residents are urged to stay alert to changing weather conditions and monitor updates from local officials and the National Weather Service.

Stay with CBS News Atlanta for the latest weather updates.