Posts Tagged ‘delaware general assembly’
Bill to Lower Age for Bartending Passes in DE State House
Legislation has passed in the State House that will change the age at which a person can bartend – from 21 years old to 18. House Bill 195 requires that a bartender who is 18, 19 or 20 years old must be directly supervised by a person who is 21 years old or older and…
Read MoreDE Joint Finance Committee Budget Hearings for Tuesday & Wednesday Rescheduled
Due to inclement weather conditions throughout the state, the Joint Finance Committee’s Tuesday, February 24 and Wednesday, February 25 budget request hearings have been postponed.  As a result, the February 24 hearing has been moved to Monday, March 2, while the February 25 hearing has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 3.  The upcoming…
Read MoreDelaware General Assembly Advances Bill to Reduce FY 2026 State Spending
The Delaware General Assembly has acted on special legislation that cuts Fiscal Year 2026 state spending by 1% to alleviate any budgetary shortfall and avoid unnecessary tax law changes that damage the state’s long-term finances. House Bill 282–sponsored by State Representative Jeff Hilovsky–was Introduced and Assigned to the Administration Committee in the House yesterday. Typically, the Committee Hearing takes…
Read MoreFairness in Girls’ Sports Act Introduced in Delaware General Assembly
Legislation that’s aimed at protecting fairness, safety and privacy for female student-athletes has been introduced into the Delaware General Assembly. Senator Bryant Richardson says that Senate Bill 215 requires school athletic teams to be designated based on biological sex – helping to ensure that girls have a level playing field to compete, earn scholarships and…
Read More2026 Brings Some Law Changes to Delaware
The new year will bring change to Delaware. Several bills passed by the General Assembly and signed into law – go into effect with the start of 2026. Just before Christmas, House Bill 175 went into effect. This makes some changes to various DNREC fees and assessments – many that haven’t been changed or updated…
Read MoreDE Lawmakers Introduce Bill That Would Create Primary Process for Special Elections
Delaware Lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation, House Bill 183 (S), to require special primary elections for filling vacancies in the Delaware General Assembly, allowing voters rather than party officials to select nominees for the special general election. Representative Mara Gorman said the bill ensures voters have a direct role in choosing who fills vacancies, creating…
Read MoreTwo Measures Advance to the Full DE State House during Extraordinary Session on November 13
The House Administration Committee has advanced two bills that will be heard by the full State House during the Extraordinary Session on Thursday, November 13th. One measure, House Bill 255, is to protect Delaware’s budget from a major shortfall. Officials from the House Majority Caucus say “Delaware is a rolling conformity state, meaning its tax…
Read MoreFirst Meeting of Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force at Legislative Hall on Monday
The first meeting of the Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force will take place on Monday at 10am in the House Majority Hearing Room at Legislative Hall. This task force was created by Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 – sponsored by Senator Bryant Richardson. This group will study the potential for small modular reactors and evaluate whether…
Read MoreGround Breaking for New Cypress Splash Zone at Trap Pond State Park
State and local officials joined DNREC and the Division of Parks and Recreation for the ground breaking for a new Cypress Splash Zone at Trap Pond State Park. This will offer a place on the western side of the county were children and families can gather and cool off on hot summer days. The 5000-square…
Read MoreUPDATED: Legislative Special Committees to Review Property Reassessment – Public Hearings Scheduled
UPDATED – 09/28/25 – Schedule details for all four public hearings of the bipartisan Special Committee tasked with investigating Delaware’s recent statewide property reassessment have been set. The Special Committee is a bipartisan group of Representatives and Senators from both chambers which will hold hearings throughout the fall that focus on various aspects of the…
Read MoreUPDATE: DelDOT Toll and Fee Increases, Changes Regarding E-ZPass Start Friday, August 15th
UPDATE 08/14/25: The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) reminds drivers that toll increases take effect on Route 1, I-95, and US 301 at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, August 15th. An online toll calculator is available for customers to view the new toll rates for their vehicles when traveling through the state. In addition to the toll…
Read MorePre-Authorization Reform Bill Passes Delaware General Assembly
A bill that would streamline pre-authorization requirements in Delaware, also known as prior authorization, to create a more efficient process that allows for better access to timely health services has passed the General Assembly and now heads to Governor Matt Meyer’s desk. Pre-authorization is a process by which providers are required to request approval from…
Read MoreSaturday is Flag Day, 250th Anniversary of the US Army & President Trump’s Birthday
Today is Flag Day, which was commemorated in 1777 when the United States approved the design for its first national flag. Today also is President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. And it is also the 250th Anniversary of the US Army. However later this year the US Navy and Marines Corps will also celebrate their 250th…
Read MoreTwo Bills Protecting Families & Strengthening Safeguards Against Sexual Extortion Pass State Senate
Two bill sponsored by State Senator Brian Pettyjohn have passed in the State Senate – both with unanimous support. Senate Substitute 1 for SB 142 enhances Delaware law regarding sexual extortion by upgrading it to a class B felony in cases involving children or vulnerable adults who suffer serious injury or death. It also requires…
Read MoreBill Introduced to Increase and Update Delaware Tobacco Taxes
Legislation introduced in the General Assembly this week would increase and update tobacco taxes in Delaware. House Bill 215 is an effort to reduce youth tobacco use, improve public health, align with neighboring states and generate revenue to help offset the $532-million annual cost of tobacco-related healthcare in Delaware. This measure will increase the taxes…
Read MoreJoint Finance Committee Conclude Budget Markup Process
The Joint Finance Committee has concluded their budget markup process. This is when lawmakers review the governor’s recommended budget and vote on funding requests – writing the FY 2026 operating budget. The committee had a challenge with a budget from outgoing Governor John Carney and one from incoming Governor Matt Meyer. The committed used Governor…
Read MoreEnd of DE General Assembly Session Nears; House Republicans Offer Cost-Cutting Suggestions
There’s just over a month before Delaware’s FY 2026 budget is approved and ready to take effect on July 1 and the Joint Finance Committee begins its last two weeks of budget crafting meetings this week. The Governor’s proposed $6.8-billion FY 2026 budget is an increase of over 7% over the current $6.1-billion spending plan.…
Read MoreDE House Passes Bill to Create the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs
The Delaware State House has passed legislation that would create a new state-level department and secretary dedicated to advocating for and administering programs related to veterans. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 1 was passed with a vote of 38 for and 3 absent. The measure would create the Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs to…
Read MoreUPDATED: Gov Meyer to Signs Medical Aid in Dying Bill
UPDATED – 05/20/25 –Â Governor Matt Meyer has signed House Bill 140 into law. This is the Medical Aid in Dying bill. Gov. Meyer says this landmark legislation gives mentally capable, terminally ill Delawareans with a prognosis of six months or less the legal option to request and self-administer medication to peacefully end their suffering. The…
Read MoreGov. Meyer Signs Amended Cannabis Legislation into Law
Legislation that amends the requirements for fingerprint-based background checks for Delawareans who want to work in, own or help run a licensed marijuana business has been signed into law by Governor Matt Meyer. Meyer says that the state’s recreational cannabis industry will created good-paying jobs and provide critical revenue for the state. House Bill 110…
Read MoreGovernor Meyer Delivers State of the State Address
Governor Matt Meyer this afternoon delivered his 2025 State of the State Address before a joint session of the Delaware General Assembly. During the address, Governor Meyer highlighted issues surrounding medical debt… Governor Meyer called for decisive action on other key priorities including education reform, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, workforce development, and efficient government operations. ———————————————————————————–  Governor Matt Meyer…
Read MoreGovernor Meyer to Deliver State of the State Address
Tomorrow, April 10th at 2:30 p.m., Delaware Governor Matt Meyer will deliver his 2025 State of the State Address before a joint session of the Delaware General Assembly. During the address, Governor Meyer will outline his legislative priorities, reflect on the administration’s accomplishments, and present his vision for Delaware’s future. The speech will be livestreamed…
Read MoreRep. Stell Parker Selby Officially Sworn Into Office
20th District Representative Stell Parker Selby was officially sworn into office on Monday afternoon. Rep. Parker Selby was sworn-in in person with family members on hand for the ceremony. She has been absent from the General Assembly session since it began in mid-January because of a medical event. Officials say that while she was not…
Read MoreSB 75 Would Limit Restrictions that a County May Impose on Marijuana Establishments in Delaware
Legislation introduced last week by Delaware State Senator Trey Paradee would limit the restrictions a county may impose on the operation of marijuana establishments in Delaware. Senate Bill 75 requires that a medical marijuana compassion center granted a conversion license for a retail marijuana store must be allowed to operate the store as a non-conforming…
Read MoreDelaware Lawmakers Working Multiple Bills Dealing with Electric and Public Utilities
Legislation introduced on Friday in the Delaware General Assembly would direct all electric public utilities in the First State to take part in a study to be undertaken by the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility to assess and analyze the costs and benefits of the adoption of energy storage systems in Delaware. Senate Joint Resolution 3…
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