Session Recap: Advancing Conservative Solutions While Calling for a Better Legislative Process

July 1, 2026

Delaware Senate Republicans

The 153rd General Assembly officially adjourned in the early morning hours of July 1 after one of the longest final legislative days in recent memory. By the time lawmakers gaveled out, it was nearly 6:00 a.m.

Despite the marathon session, Senate and House Republicans remained focused on advancing practical legislation that supports Delaware families, strengthens our workforce, improves public safety, expands access to healthcare, and protects our agricultural community. Many of those measures have already been signed into law or now await Governor Matt Meyer’s signature.

Delivering Results for Delaware

Throughout this legislative session, Republicans in the General Assembly sponsored and advanced legislation addressing many of the issues Delawareans discuss most often.

In healthcare, SS 1 for Senate Bill 208 modernizes Delaware’s psychology licensing framework to help expand access to behavioral healthcare services across our state. House Bill 305 establishes a pilot program aimed at improving health outcomes for Delawareans living with diabetes while exploring ways to reduce long-term healthcare costs. Senate Bills 216 and 217, both signed into law, join Delaware in interstate licensure compacts for respiratory therapists and cosmetologists, making it easier for qualified professionals to work in Delaware while strengthening our workforce.

Supporting our military community also remained a priority. Senate Bill 219 increases Delaware’s military pension tax exemption, providing additional tax relief to veterans while making our state more attractive for military retirees. Senate Bill 317 designates May as Veterans Month in Delaware, ensuring the service and sacrifice of our veterans are recognized each year.

Several important public safety initiatives also advanced. Senate Bill 232 increases penalties for intentionally damaging emergency response vehicles, helping protect the equipment first responders rely on every day. SS 1 for Senate Bill 234 establishes a clear statutory definition of “first responder” to ensure those who answer the call during emergencies are properly recognized in Delaware law. Earlier this session, Senate Bill 38 was signed into law to expand assistance for retired law enforcement animals by including retired police horses.

Agriculture and rural communities also saw meaningful progress. Senate Bill 53 codifies Delaware’s Farm to Community Program, strengthening connections between local agriculture and Delaware families. House Bill 371 streamlines Delaware’s farmland preservation program while maintaining our state’s longstanding commitment to protecting agricultural land.

Education remained another area of focus. House Bill 350 directs the Department of Education to study opportunities for homeschool students to participate in public school extracurricular activities through a potential pilot program. Senate Joint Resolution 15 calls for a review of Delaware’s use of the SAT within the state’s school accountability system while encouraging a broader recognition of career readiness, workforce credentials, and dual enrollment opportunities.

Senate Joint Resolution 13, signed by the Governor, also directs the Delaware Judiciary to study court reminder programs that could reduce missed court appearances and improve government efficiency.

Important Work Still Ahead

Not every proposal received the consideration it deserved.

Senate Republicans will continue advocating for policies that make Delaware more affordable, including proposals to provide energy bill relief through Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative revenues, encourage new in-state electricity generation, provide tax relief for overtime and tipped workers, strengthen school safety, and protect Delaware’s outdoor heritage through a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and trap.

These remain common sense ideas that deserve continued discussion during the 154th General Assembly.

The Final Night Should Give Every Delawarean Pause

While we are proud of the legislation that advanced this year, the way the General Assembly concluded its work should concern everyone, regardless of political affiliation.

The Senate’s original agenda alone included 76 items, consisting of one gubernatorial nomination and 75 bills. To put that in perspective, it took until May 5 for the Senate to consider its first 75 bills of the entire legislative session. Yet that same volume of legislation was compressed into a single day and overnight session on June 30.

Many of those votes occurred after midnight, when lawmakers, legislative staff, attorneys, reporters, Capitol Police, pages, and everyone else who keeps Legislative Hall operating had already worked extraordinarily long hours. Those public servants deserve our gratitude for their professionalism and dedication.

Delawareans also deserve a legislative process that allows sufficient time for lawmakers and the public to review legislation before final votes are cast. Regardless of which party controls the General Assembly, important public policy should not routinely be decided in the middle of the night. Transparency, thoughtful debate, and deliberate decision making should always take precedence over racing the clock to adjourn.

Perhaps no bill illustrated that concern more than House Bill 75.

For years, survivors, advocates, and legislators worked together on legislation intended to permanently remove barriers preventing victims of child sexual abuse from pursuing civil justice. The bill represented years of advocacy and careful negotiation. However, during the Senate’s final hours, a floor amendment substantially altered the legislation by adding new limitations and restrictions.

Every Senate Republican voted against that amendment because we believed it weakened the protections and opportunities for justice that survivors had fought so hard to achieve. The House sponsor ultimately struck the bill rather than accept those changes, bringing years of work to an unfortunate end, at least for this General Assembly.

Victims of childhood sexual abuse deserve better than seeing legislation of this magnitude fundamentally changed during the closing hours of session. Senate Republicans remain committed to working with survivors and advocates to pursue meaningful legislation that delivers justice for victims.

Looking Ahead

Although the 153rd General Assembly has adjourned, our work continues.

Over the coming months, Senate Republicans will continue serving constituents, monitoring implementation of new laws, and preparing legislation for the next session. We remain committed to advancing policies that strengthen Delaware’s economy, support our communities, improve public safety, and make our state a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.

Thank you for following along throughout another legislative session. We look forward to continuing the conversation in the months ahead.