GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGISLATION DE/ME
Delaware Legislation Aimed at Eliminating Violence and Threats at Polling Places Signed Into Law
Governor Matt Meyer has signed legislation strengthening Delaware’s law against violence, threats and voter intimidation at or near polling places and other locations where ballots are handled. Sponsored by Representative Eric Morrison and Senator Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, House Substitute 1 for House Bill 301 prohibits violence, threats of violence, breaches of the peace, or attempts…
Read MoreMaryland Tax Court Strikes Down Illegal Digital Ad Tax
Maryland’s Tax Court has struck down the state’s digital advertising tax ruling it illegal under federal law. The legislation was passed in 2021 after Maryland Democrats overrode a veto from then-Governor Hogan. The digital advertising tax targeted large technology companies with a tax on digital advertising revenue. Senate minority officials say that while the tax…
Read MoreMaryland General Assembly Begins Special Session on Redistricting Monday
Maryland lawmakers will meet in special session this week to discuss redistricting. House Bill 2100 (see below) is a constitutional amendment to consider a bill amending the rules for drawing new congressional districts. It will ask voters to decide through a referendum question whether the wording that addresses how congressional district maps are drawn should…
Read MoreOABCC Highlights New Delaware Liquor Laws
The Delaware Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner says it’s grateful for legislation approved by the General Assembly this year that expands business opportunities while maintaining liquor regulations and public safety. The new laws create bottle club and special event venue licenses, allow licensed third-party alcohol delivery from package stores, establish regulations for Delta-9…
Read MoreGov Meyer Signs Landmark Health Care Affordability Package
A three-bill health care affordability package has been signed into law by Governor Matt Meyer. These measures, Senate Bill 1, Senate Bill 13 and Senate Bill 313, are aimed at lowering health care costs, expanding access to care and protecting Delaware hospitals from private equity ownership. These bills build on the Governor’s broader affordability agenda,…
Read MoreGov Meyer Signs Pettyjohn Bill Expanding Access to Mental Health Care in Delaware
Legislation that expands access to mental health care in the First State has been signed by Governor Matt Meyer. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 208, sponsored by Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn, modernizes Delaware’s psychology licensure laws by creating a new licensure pathway for master’s level psychology associates and aligns Delaware’s licensing framework with…
Read MoreAutomatic Retirement Savings Enrollment Planned for New Delaware State Employees
Delaware state employees will soon be automatically enrolled in the Delaware DEFER retirement savings program under legislation recently passed by the General Assembly. The new law creates automatic enrollment in the state’s 457(b) deferred compensation plan for new hires, while still allowing employees to change their contribution rate or opt out. State Treasurer Colleen Davis…
Read MoreGovernor Meyer Signs Package of Banking Modernization Bills
Governor Matt Meyer has signed legislation today that modernizes Delaware’s banking laws. Senate Bills 16,18 and 19 update the state’s banking code to reflect the evolving financial services industry while establishing consumer protections for digital assets, virtual currency and stablecoins. The Governor says this modern framework welcomes new financial technologies, protects consumers and ensure Delaware…
Read MoreDE General Assembly Passes Fiscal Year 2027 Bond Bill
On the final day of the legislative session, the Delaware General Assembly approved a $1.25 billion bond bill for Fiscal Year 2027, funding infrastructure, education, housing, economic development, and environmental projects statewide. The spending plan in House Bill 500 includes $273.3 million for road projects, $235 million for school construction, $24.6 million for economic development…
Read MoreState Grants-in-Aid Fund Fire, EMS, and Senior Programs
In the early hours of July 1st, the Senate approved the $99.4 million Fiscal Year 2027 Grants-in-Aid bill, securing essential services funding to support the operation of senior centers, nonprofit organizations, fire companies, and veterans organizations throughout the First State. The bill includes more than $22 million for statewide paramedic services, $15.5 million for fire…
Read MoreLegislation to Enhance Firearm Dealer Oversight in Delaware Passes in State House
Legislation that enhances firearm dealer oversight in Delaware was passed Thursday in the State House. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300 strengthens oversight of firearms dealers by implementing an enhanced licensing system with stricter inspection, reporting and security requirements. The sponsors of the bill worked with the Delaware State Sportsmen Association, NRA and the…
Read MoreFirearm Safety Bill Passes Delaware Senate
A bill related to firearm safety has passed the Delaware Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature. House Bill 141, the primary sponsor of which is State Representative Kimberly Williams, requires firearm buyers to review and sign a Firearm Responsibilities Notice before purchasing a gun. The notice, to be developed by the Department of Safety…
Read MoreDelaware Fireworks Bill Passes Senate
A Delaware bill aimed at tightening fireworks laws has passed the Senate. Officials say the state’s current regulations have led to widespread confusion, with many people using fireworks outside legally permitted days without realizing they are breaking the law, while others face penalties too small to deter violations. The result has been ongoing neighborhood disturbances,…
Read MoreDelaware Senate Unanimously Passes FY 27 Budget Bills
The Delaware Senate has voted to approve a $6.99 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2027, which includes funding for state employee and retiree compensation, public schools, healthcare services, public safety programs, and other statewide operations. The budget provides a 3% raise for state employees and additional pay increases for educators, while also supporting state…
Read MoreTipped Worker Tax Relief Measure Clears Delaware House Committee
A bill providing state tax relief for tipped workers has cleared a House committee. The proposed legislation, sponsored by State Representative Jeff Hilovsky, would allow eligible workers to deduct up to $15,000 in tip income from their Delaware state taxes. The tax break would sunset at the end of 2029 unless renewed. House Substitute 1 for House…
Read MoreNew Law Expands Hunting Opportunities in Delaware
A new law signed by Governor Matt Meyer expands hunting opportunities in Delaware by allowing Sunday hunting for all game animals and game birds during established hunting seasons. Private landowners and public agencies may still decide whether to permit Sunday hunting on their properties. House Bill 278, backed by the bipartisan Delaware Sportsmen’s Caucus, passed…
Read MoreDelaware Bill Would Allow Medically Disqualified Drivers to Retain Licenses for Identification
Under current Delaware law, individuals who lose their driving privileges because of a medical condition must surrender their driver’s license and may need to obtain a separate identification card. A bill currently being worked on in the General Assembly would allow them to keep their physical license for identification purposes. They would sign an affidavit…
Read MoreMeasure Would Allow Candidates & Officeholders to Use Campaign Funds for Security Measures
The growing threat of political violence and harassment that’s directed at public officials led to the release Thursday of House Bill 448 by Delaware House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown and Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend. This measure would make security expenses an authorized campaign expenditure. In 2024, the Federal Election Commission clarified that federal candidates and…
Read MoreLegislation Introduced to Promote Safety and Accountability in Delaware Interscholastic Athletics
Legislation introduced Thursday would strengthen the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) board’s authority over investigations and compliance standards while implementing new training requirements for student-athletes and stronger screening requirements for athletic officials. House Bill 452 would expand the duties, powers and authority of the DIAA Board by requiring member schools to fully cooperate with DIAA…
Read MoreLegislation Crafted in Delaware to Allow Voters to Approve Constitutional Amendments
Delaware voters would have the opportunity to directly vote on proposed amendments to the state’s constitution under new legislation filed on Thursday. House Bill 440, sponsored by Representative Kerri Evelyn Harris and Senator Kyra Hoffner, is the first leg of an amendment to the Delaware Constitution that would create a framework for the General Assembly…
Read MoreLegislation Introduced in Delaware Seeks to Expand Coverage for Menopause and Perimenopause Care
Legislation introduced in Delaware by Senator Nicole Poore and Representative Kamela Smith seeks to expand access for comprehensive menopause and perimenopause care across the state. Senate Bill 319 recognizes menopause as a common health condition, but one that should be taken more seriously by medical providers and insurers alike. SB 319 requires health insurance plans…
Read MoreLegislation Passed in State House to Prohibit Use of Reverse-Keyword Warrants
Legislation passed along party lines in the State House would prohibit the use of reverse keyword warrants in Delaware. These types of warrants allow law enforcement to obtain information from search engine providers and other applications about individuals based solely on internet searches or digital activity. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 145 will prohibit…
Read MoreDelaware House Advances Bill to Lower Bartending Age
A Delaware bill that would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to work as bartenders, aligning the state with many others, has passed the House. Specifically, this Act changes the minimum bartending age from 21 to 18. It also requires that any bartender aged 18, 19, or 20 be directly supervised by a person aged 21 or…
Read More“Safe Schools Sentry Act” to Expand School Security Options for Private Schools Introduced in Delaware General Assembly
Legislation to provide private schools with additional tools to enhance campus safety and protect students and staff has been introduced in the Delaware General Assembly. Senate Bill 304, the Safe Schools Sentry Act creates a narrowly tailored exemption within Delaware’s Safe School Zone law to allow trained and authorized individuals, referred to as ‘sentries,’ to…
Read MoreDelaware Lawmakers File Bill to Improve Maternal Care After Early Discharges
To improve maternal safety and continuity of care, Delaware lawmakers filed a bill mandating discharge plans for laboring patients sent home before giving birth. Sponsored by State Senator Marie Pinkney and House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, Senate Bill 301 would require hospitals to provide aftercare instructions, assess travel time and distance, confirm reliable transportation, and identify…
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