Thursday in Dover: Bills We Fought, Bills We Advanced, and What Comes Next

May 22, 2026

Delaware Senate Republicans

Yesterday afternoon in the Delaware Senate was defined by lengthy debate, significant policy disagreements, and several important votes that will now move on to the House of Representatives.

Over the course of nearly six hours of debate, senators considered legislation ranging from public school construction and firearm dealer regulations to veteran recognition and practical quality-of-life reforms. Some measures earned bipartisan support. Others drew serious concerns from our caucus.

While Senate Republicans opposed legislation we believe could hurt taxpayers, small businesses, and lawful Delawareans, we were also proud to advance commonsense bills sponsored by members of our caucus.

Here is a recap of what happened.

SB 272: Government Should Not Tilt the Playing Field

One of the most debated bills this week was SB 272, legislation dealing with project labor agreements on certain public school construction projects.

To be clear, our caucus does not oppose labor unions. They have played an important role in our nation’s history, helping secure many of the workplace protections and labor standards Americans benefit from today.

That is not the issue.

Our concern with SB 272 is that it inserts government into the bidding process in a way that critics and our caucus believe advantages union-affiliated contractors over merit shop contractors.

Under the bill, project labor agreements would be required on certain public school construction projects costing $5 million or more when multiple union-affiliated bids are submitted for a craft.

Critics argue that structure could:

• Reduce competition among contractors

• Discourage merit shop firms from bidding

• Drive up costs on large school construction projects

• Ultimately increase costs for taxpayers

Public construction contracts should be awarded based on fair competition, quality work, and value for taxpayers, not through government policies that put a thumb on the scale for one segment of the industry.

That is why our caucus opposed SB 272.

SB 300: Delaware Needs Enforcement, Not More Laws on the Compliant Majority

Another major debate centered around SB 300, which creates a new state licensing framework for federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) and imposes a long list of new requirements related to inspections, record keeping, compliance procedures, employee training, and other regulations.

Supporters argued the bill was necessary to address illegal firearm trafficking and crime guns.

Our caucus raised a different question:

Before Delaware creates new laws and regulations, are we enforcing the laws already on the books?

The state’s own data raises serious concerns.

For resolved felony firearms charges in Delaware:

• 2023: 81.8% were dropped or nol-prossed

• 2024: 81.4% were dropped or nol-prossed

• 2025: 82.6% were dropped or nol-prossed

That means over the last three years, an average of 81.9% of resolved felony firearms charges were dropped or nol-prossed.

The numbers on straw purchasing charges are similarly troubling:

• 2023: 78.9% dropped

• 2024: 95.0% dropped

• 2025: 80.0% dropped

Delaware already has laws making straw purchasing a felony. The issue is not always a lack of laws, but rather enforcement.

During debate, a witness for the bill sponsor testified that only 1% of Delaware FFLs were responsible for crime guns traced during criminal investigations.

That statistic deserves context.

Delaware has approximately 137 federally licensed firearms dealers. If 1% were responsible, that points to roughly one dealer.

So our caucus asked a basic question:

Why impose sweeping new burdens on the other 99% of dealers who are operating lawfully and in good faith?

The bill creates significant new compliance burdens, inspection requirements, and data retention mandates on lawful businesses that are already following federal law and cooperating with law enforcement.

Our caucus also raised concerns that, while supporters insist SB 300 does not create a gun registry, it for sure establishes a framework that many believe could make such a system easier to implement in the future.

To be fair, our caucus was not categorically opposed to every concept in the bill.

For example, discussions around employee training to identify suspicious purchasing behavior may have been workable.

As firearm dealer Ron Hagan, owner of Best Shot in Lewes, testified during debate, many responsible dealers are already training employees to identify suspicious customers and recognize red flags.

Had the bill sponsor worked collaboratively with Delaware FFLs to develop practical training standards while stripping out many of the extensive record keeping and regulatory burdens, there may have been room for a more productive conversation.

Instead, SB 300 places new restrictions on the compliant majority while Delaware continues to struggle to consistently enforce laws already on the books.

That is why our caucus opposed the bill.

SB 255: A Commonsense Reform Sponsored by Senator Buckson

Not every major vote yesterday was contentious.

SS 1 for SB 255, sponsored by Senator Eric Buckson, passed the Senate and makes practical changes to Delaware’s vehicle window tint law.

The bill:

• Adjusts the visible light transmission requirement for front side windows from 70% to 50%

• Clarifies that rear side windows and rear windows do not have a transmission requirement

The substitute bill also reflected compromise, changing the originally proposed standard from 35% tint to 50%.

This is the kind of practical, commonsense legislation that updates state law while balancing driver concerns with public safety.

SB 317: Honoring Delaware Veterans

Another meaningful bill that passed this week was SB 317, sponsored by Senator Dave Lawson.

The legislation designates the month of May as Veterans Month in Delaware.

This bill carries particular significance because Senator Lawson is a Vietnam War combat veteran and the only combat veteran currently serving in the Delaware General Assembly.

As Delaware prepares to observe Memorial Day this Monday, the timing is especially fitting.

While Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice, Veterans Month creates an opportunity to recognize the service, commitment, and sacrifices of those who wore the uniform and defended our nation.

Looking Ahead

This week’s Senate session reflected two very different visions of governance.

On one hand, our caucus stood firmly against legislation we believe could increase costs, burden lawful businesses, and expand government in ways that miss the mark.

On the other, Republican senators advanced practical legislation that modernizes state law and honors those who have served our country.

That is what representation should look like: asking hard questions, challenging legislation when necessary, and advancing bills that improve life for Delawareans.

With several of these measures now heading to the House, the debate is far from over.