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DELAWARE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEWS

Media Release: 

May 9, 2025      

Rep. Jones Giltner floor-manages her first bill to exempt "first informers" from driving restrictions during a State of Emergency

Delaware House Republicans

Rep. Jones Giltner was all smiles yesterday when the House unanimously passed the first bill of which she was a prime sponsor. Senate Bill 49 - co-sponsored by Senator Brian Pettyjohn - exempts "first informers" from driving restrictions during a State of Emergency. In a State of Emergency, getting information to the public as quickly as possible is vital to the safety of the community. This Act provides protections to those who provide these essential communication and broadcasting services by deeming them "first informers." Under this Act, first informers are exempt from driving restrictions that the Governor may impose during a State of Emergency. The legislation returns to the Senate for consideration after a technical amendment was attached during yesterday's debate. After the Senate passes the bill, it will head to the Governor for his signature.

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House Republican Valerie Jones Glitner

Media Relaease: 

May 8, 2025

Senate Passes Pettyjohn Bill to Address Legal Gap in Birth Certificate Law

Delaware Senate Republicans

DOVER, Del. — The Delaware State Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn (R - Georgetown) to resolve a legal conflict affecting the ability to list a deceased father’s name on a birth certificate in certain assisted reproduction cases. Senate Substitute 1 to Senate Bill 119 (SB 119) directs the State Registrar of Vital Statistics to amend the birth certificate of Levi Ryan Murray to include the name of his father, Ryan Murray, who passed away after the creation of the embryo but before its implantation. Current Delaware law does not clearly address this circumstance, leading to uncertainty and delays for the Murray family. “This bill ensures that Levi’s birth certificate accurately and rightfully reflects his father’s name,” said Senator Pettyjohn. “While SB 119 provides a necessary and immediate solution for this family, it also brings to light a broader issue within Delaware code. Our laws must evolve to keep pace with advancements in reproductive medicine and the real-life circumstances families face.” Senator Pettyjohn emphasized that although this legislation only serves one family, it underscores the need for a larger policy conversation. “This situation has revealed an urgent gap in our laws that the General Assembly must address,” Pettyjohn added. “As reproductive technology continues to advance, we need to ensure that Delaware law is clear, compassionate, and adaptable. Families facing similar circumstances in the future deserve both legal certainty and the dignity of having their loved ones properly recognized.” SB 119 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn

News Release: 

May 7, 2025

Senator Buckson Introduces Resolution to Relocate Caesar Rodney Statue in Time for Nation’s 250th Anniversary

Delaware Senate Republicans

DOVER, Del. — As the United States approaches its 250th Anniversary, State Senator Eric Buckson (R-South Dover) is leading an effort to bring home one of Delaware’s most iconic symbols of patriotism and leadership: the Caesar Rodney equestrian statue. Senator Buckson introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 65 (SCR 65) yesterday calling on the State of Delaware, the City of Dover, and the Kent County Levy Court to work with the City of Wilmington to relocate the statue from storage and prominently display it in Delaware’s capital by July 4, 2026. “Caesar Rodney was born, raised, and buried in Kent County. His legendary ride through the night in 1776 helped ensure Delaware’s vote for independence and, ultimately, the birth of our nation,” said Senator Buckson. “As we approach this milestone anniversary, it’s time to bring him home.” The statue, which stood in Wilmington’s Rodney Square for nearly a century, was removed and placed in storage in 2020. Originally installed in 1923, it had become a historic centerpiece in Delaware’s largest city and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Buckson noted that while the decision to remove the statue came during a time of national reflection, now is the time to tell the full story of Delaware’s founding, not to hide it. “Our nation’s history is complex, but Caesar Rodney’s contributions are undeniable. He served as a soldier, judge, assembly speaker, chief executive of Delaware, and more. No other Delawarean has held more public offices,” Senator Buckson said. “He deserves to be honored during the very celebration made possible by his courage.” SCR 65 suggests potential sites in Dover, including The Green or the John Dickinson Plantation, which are locations that tie closely to Rodney’s life and legacy. Senator Buckson began advocating for the statue’s return in 2022 while serving as a Kent County Levy Court Commissioner, working alongside Dover City Councilman David Anderson. He continued the effort as a State Senator, initiating discussions with then-Governor John Carney (now Mayor of Wilmington), and engaging with state and local stakeholders. “This isn’t about revisiting past decisions. It’s about looking ahead,” Buckson added. “With funding allocated for Delaware’s role in the 250th celebration, now is the time to act. Let’s bring Rodney home and share his story with a new generation of Delawareans and visitors alike.” SCR 65 was formally introduced on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

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News Release: 

May 2, 2025

Pulling the Plug on

the EV Mandate?

Delaware House Republicans

According to published comments released earlier this week, Gov. Matt Meyer will direct the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to strike regulations mandating zero-emission vehicle sales in Delaware. As detailed in an article by WHYY reporter Cris Barrish, Gov. Meyer is quoted as stating: “I’m not a strong believer in government mandates on consumers. The mechanism we take has yet to be determined, but I’m assuring Delawareans that the electric vehicle mandate will not go into effect.” The controversial sales mandate is the result of rules adopted in late 2023, despite massive public opposition. Over 94% of the more than 4,400 citizen comments received by state environmental regulators opposed restricting the delivery of new fuel-powered vehicles to Delaware car dealers. At present, the rules are still set to go into effect a year from this fall, the start of the Model Year 2027. Initially, 43% of new cars and trucks sent from manufacturers to Delaware dealerships would be required to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), primarily electric vehicles. The percentage would increase annually, reaching 82% by 2032. While public opposition failed to stop the mandate, Delawareans did make their will felt through tepid demand. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, at the start of last year, the total number of electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and hybrid electric cars, trucks, and SUVs registered in Delaware was less than 5% of the total number of gasoline and diesel light-duty vehicles. Given the uncertain consumer demand, many automotive retailers, including those represented by the National Automotive Dealers Association, worried that the regulation would saddle them with increasingly large numbers of electric vehicles that too few people wanted to buy. House and Senate Republican legislators have been fighting the EV sales mandate since it was proposed, citing numerous concerns, including the higher average purchase cost of electric vehicles, their hidden environmental impact, and the lack of charging infrastructure--especially for urban residents and those living in apartments and condominiums. State Rep. Lyndon Yearick (R-Camden, Wyoming) sponsored pending legislation that would have eliminated the EV mandate, while still observing federal clean air regulations. However, the bill has been bottled up in committee in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. State House Republican Whip Jeff Spiegelman (R-Townsend, Smyrna, Clayton) said he was glad to hear the governor's statement, but that he'd wait to see the regulation repealed before complimenting the chief executive on his prudence. "Our people have been banging the drum for years about this issue," Rep. Spiegelman said. "We've supported our constituents and small business operators who told state officials they did not want this mandate placed around their necks like some sort of electric albatross. We've cited credible data and presented dozens of well-supported arguments about the challenges this would pose for working families, dealerships, and our electricity distribution system. The response from too many of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle has been to reject objective reality for their own wishful, subjective version. Hopefully, this mandate will be repealed. We'll see."

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DELAWARE SENATE & HOUSE REPUBLICANS

DELAWARE SENATE REPUBLICANS

 The Senate Republican Caucus embraces freedom, believes in your rights,
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FOR THE RECORD

The Delaware Senate Republican Caucus has rebranded its podcast to "For the Record"—a casual and engaging discussion covering the latest happenings at Legislative Hall. 

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DELAWARE HOUSE REPUBLICANS

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