DOVER — Legislation that would bring an end to a longstanding tradition in Delaware’s General Assembly was filed Friday.

On the final day of every year’s legislative session, lawmakers gather at Legislative Hall just before midnight to conduct business and commence a special session during the early hours of the morning of July 1. The Delaware Constitution states that each legislative session ends on the final day of June, but lawmakers are required to meet at midnight before July 1 to call the assembly back into session later in the year.

House Bill 411, sponsored by Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, would change the time of the end of the legislative session from 11:59 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 30. The bill would amend the constitution to permit the House of Representatives and the Senate to reconvene after 5 p.m. to allow for meetings later in the year instead of waiting until the early hours of the morning.

“For years, we have heard the concerns about these late-night sessions from the public and our fellow legislators alike. While the practice is rooted in the traditions of Legislative Hall, it is far from an ideal way to do the people’s business,” Rep. Schwartzkopf said.

“These marathon session days do not promote transparency in government, and they also result in legislators, staff and members of the public driving home late at night after a very long day, which is just not safe. By changing the time for the end of the regular session, we will be promoting transparency and ending a tradition that no longer makes good sense.”

The late-night session on the final day of each legislative session allows for lawmakers to put the finishing touches on key pieces of legislation before the chambers convene for a six-month recess. In Friday’s press release, Senate Minority Whip Rep. Tim Dukes, R-Laurel, said the longstanding practice was archaic and the change is long overdue.

Since the bill aims to make a constitutional amendment, it must be approved by the next General Assembly to be signed into the constitution. The legislation will need a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate and would need approval from both the current and next assembly. The current assembly will vote on HB 411, but a similar bill would need to be introduced and approved by the next assembly.

“This legislation is designed to strike a balance between concluding the final day of legislative session at a reasonable hour while preserving our ability to work overtime on behalf of the people of Delaware if the need arises,” Sen. Dave Sokola, D-Newark, said in Friday’s press release.

“But ultimately, my hope is that this constitutional amendment results in far fewer late nights for our staff, legislators and members of the public whose safety is put at risk when we conclude our deliberations after midnight and send them home in the early morning hours.”

HB 411 is scheduled to be heard May 11 at the House Administration committee meeting.