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DELAWARE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEWS
News:
January 12, 2026
Rep. Rich Collins Jan. 8 Coffee Meeting Recap
By State Rep. Rich Collins
JANURAY 12, 2026 -- About 20 people joined State Rep. Rich Collins for his regular monthly coffee meeting last Thursday (1/8). Here are some of the highlights: -- Rep. Collins discussed holding upcoming constituent meetings at different locations and times. More information to follow as details are set. -- Continuing work by a legislative task force to evaluate the possible future siting of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in Delaware was discussed. Rep. Collins said he was disappointed with the group's early efforts, noting that it appeared to focus more on the technology's pitfalls than on its promise. Full details about the group's work are available at: https://legis.delaware.gov/TaskForceDetail?taskForceId=478 . An additional 13 meetings are planned. -- Affordable housing challenges were a topic that drew interest. As lawmakers head back to the State Capitol this week to resume the 153rd General Assembly, at least three pending bills dealing with the topic await consideration. One measure would override local ordinances to permit the construction of auxiliary housing units, regardless of county or municipal codes to the contrary. -- One participant asked about a new law dealing with the landlords and Section 8 housing vouchers. The Delaware Fair Housing Act, which took effect on January 1, prohibits discrimination based on source of income, including Section 8 vouchers. Landlords in Delaware are now required to consider rental applications from people using the vouchers, which are government rental assistance subsidies to low-income individuals. For more information, access the Delaware Spotlight story using this link: https://spotlightdelaware.org/.../delaware-landlords-now.../
News:
January 12, 2026
Rep. Danny Short Jan. 7 Coffee Meeting Recap
By State Rep. Danny Short
More than 60 people joined State Rep. Danny Short for his most recent coffee meeting last Wednesday (1/7/26). Here are a few of the highlights: • In response to a question from a citizen, Seaford City Manager Charles Anderson said a new state law has forced the city to change the way it issues electricity bills to ratepayers. House Bill 62, enacted last May, imposed new regulations on utilities stipulating procedures for notification of late payments and the protocols for terminating service. He said complying with the rules required the city to acquire expensive software and made the situation worse for vulnerable citizens who fell behind on their electric bills. Rep. Short said he opposed the legislation and cited it as an example of a law that created problems where none previously existed. • Rep. Short briefed attendees on upcoming events as lawmakers return to Dover this week to resume the 153rd General Assembly. He said the governor will deliver his State of the State Address on January 22 and will follow that up a week later with the presentation of his suggested state operating and capital budgets. As a member of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, Rep. Short will be involved in examining and recrafting the governor's FY 2027 operating budget, which takes effect July 1, 2026. Rep. Short said the state needs to curb the growth of state spending, which in recent years has significantly outpaced revenue growth. • Seaford Chief of Police Marshall Craft stated that his agency is planning to expand its use of drones and continues its installation of surveillance cameras as part of a system to increase efficiency and reduce the incidence of crimes. He said the SPD is also evaluating the use of speed cameras, but that the systems cost $150,000 per camera, per year. By law, the use of the devices is limited to areas where at least 85% of the traffic exceeds the speed limit by at least 5 miles per hour. • Rep. Short said a newly hired captain for the Woodland Ferry should soon be cleared to operate the vessel solo. Hiring and retaining qualified captains has been an ongoing challenge in keeping the crossing of the Nanticoke River, southwest of Seaford, fully operational. The Coffee with Danny constituent coffee meetings are hosted by the Nanticoke Senior Center in Seaford on the first Wednesday of each month, starting at 8 AM. Free coffee and pastries are provided at no cost to taxpayers. All are welcome.
News-Opinion Piece:
January 8, 2026
Republican Excerpt from the Spotlight Delaware Legislative Summit
Click HERE for the blog to view the full information and the video link.
During the Spotlight Delaware Legislative Summit held January 7 on the campus of Delaware State University in Dover, House Minority Whip, State Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, and Senate Minority Whip, State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, were part of a panel of four legislative leaders discussing issues ranging from reassessment to income tax rates. In the video, both men respond to the following question posed by the moderator of the guided discussion: "As Republicans, how do you navigate a Democratic trifecta and a Democratic super-majority in the General Assembly, and how do you work to hold onto any semblance of a Republican or conservative agenda?" Democrats outnumber Republicans in the House, 27 to 14, and in the Senate hold a 15 to 6 advantage.
News:
January 6, 2026
Keeping an Eye on Your Elected Leaders
By the House Republican Caucus
The 153rd Delaware General Assembly resumes action at the State Capitol Building next week. To access House and Senate agendas, learn about bills being considered in committees, and watch live or recorded proceedings, visit the legislature's home page at: https://legis.delaware.gov/
Do you want to receive a free weekly newsletter with insights into the topical (and often controversial) issues moving through the legislature? If so, send an email to joseph@housegop.delaware.gov with "I want to know" in the subject line. Unsubscribe at any time using the one-click unsubscribe link in all our publications.
NEW DELAWARE GOP BILLS
Senator Pettyjohn Introduces SB 208 to Strengthen Delaware’s Mental Health Workforce
January 12, 2026
Delaware State Senate - Republican Caucus
Full text of Senate Bill 208
DOVER, DE — Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn (R – Georgetown) has introduced Senate Bill 208 (SB 208), legislation designed to modernize Delaware’s psychology licensing laws and expand access to mental health care by creating a regulated licensure pathway for master’s-level psychology clinicians. Similar to much of the country, Delaware is experiencing an increasing shortage of mental health providers. As demand for services continues to rise, many Delawareans face long wait times or limited access to care, particularly in rural communities. “This is a technical but important update to our licensing laws that reflects the realities of today’s mental health system,” said Senator Pettyjohn. “We have a growing need for mental health services in Delaware and our code needs to support a workforce that can meet that demand while maintaining high professional standards.” SB 208 does not replace or diminish existing licenses for psychologists, counselors, or social workers, but instead adds a complementary role within the broader mental health care system. “The goal is to responsibly expand access to care without compromising quality or patient safety,” Pettyjohn said. “This bill strengthens oversight, brings clarity to the law, and helps Delaware remain competitive in recruiting and retaining trained mental health professionals.” SB 208 brings Delaware in line with national trends, supports community-based mental health settings, and helps address workforce shortages affecting hundreds of thousands of Delawareans across the state. The Delaware Psychological Association has affirmed its support for the proposal. The bill will be considered by the Senate Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee this Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
Sen. Buckson Introduces Legislation to Increase Military Pension Tax Exemption
January 9, 2026
Delaware State Senate - Republican Caucus
Full text of Senate Bill 219
DOVER, DE — Senator Eric Buckson (R - South Dover) has introduced Senate Bill 219 (SB 219), bipartisan legislation that would significantly increase Delaware’s exclusion of military retirement pay from state income taxes, providing meaningful tax relief to veterans who have served our nation. SB 219 phases in an increased exemption for military pensions over several years, ultimately raising the exclusion to $25,000 for all military retirees, regardless of age, beginning in tax year 2029. Currently, Delaware allows a maximum military pension exclusion of $12,500.
Richardson Introduces Legislation to Protect Fairness, Safety, and Privacy in Girls’ Sports
January 9, 2026
Delaware State Senate - Republican Caucus
Full text of Senate Bill 215
DOVER, DE — Senator Bryant Richardson (R - Seaford) has introduced Senate Bill 215 (SB 215), legislation that will protect fairness in girls’ athletics by ensuring that interscholastic sports teams in Delaware are designated based on biological sex. The bill, titled the Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act, creates guidelines for school districts, charter schools, and member schools of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) to maintain sex-specific athletic teams, while allowing flexibility when a girls’ team is not available. Supporters say the legislation reinforces the intent of Title IX by preserving equal athletic opportunities for female students. “Girls deserve a level playing field where they can compete fairly, safely, and with confidence,” said Senator Richardson. “This legislation will protect the opportunities that generations of women fought hard to secure, from championships and records to scholarships and long-term benefits that come from athletic achievement.” In addition to competitive fairness, Senator Richardson noted that it’s important to maintain privacy and safety in school athletic environments, including locker rooms and other sex-specific spaces associated with sports participation. “This is also about respecting the privacy and dignity of young women,” Senator Richardson said. “Our schools should be places where students feel safe and not just on the field of play, but also in private spaces like locker rooms where biological differences matter.” SB 215 requires athletic teams to be designated as male, female, or coed based on biological sex as recorded at or near birth, while keeping the option for female athletes to compete on male teams when a corresponding girls’ team is not offered. SB 215 has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee. The General Assembly will reconvene next Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
DELAWARE SENATE & HOUSE REPUBLICANS
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