5/12/2025 Legislative Update
We ended up not getting any movement on HS 1 for HB 13 last week, which would have created new tax brackets for wealthier Delawareans, as the sponsor asked to have it withdrawn. However, we also did not get any updates on universal free school meals, which is still being held up for more political reasons.
There are a few things happening this week in the legislature that are worth mentioning. The first is a bill by WFP Champion Sophie Phillips prohibiting discrimination based on weight, height, or body size in transportation, public accommodation, housing, commerce and trade, employment, jury selection, education, and public administration. This is a crucial protection from workers and anyone just trying to get around a world that isn’t explicitly designed for them.
There will also be two immigration bills being heard this week: HB 58 restricting the ability of law enforcement to enforce immigration-related offenses, and HB 96 requiring a quarterly report on what requests are being made by the federal government when it comes to immigration enforcement.
Finally, another bill in the package dealing with high Delmarva bills will be heard, this one calling on the Public Service Commission to consider and approve a discounted gas or electric residential utility rate for qualified low-income customers. It’s a complicated and frustrating process to hold private utility companies accountable, but hopefully this will move that goal forward.
Make Your Voice Heard
See below for some of the most notable bills in committee this week and how to give public comment. For length and clarity, we are only putting bills that need the most public input below. Bills in green are bills we generally support, bills in red are bills we generally oppose, and bills in yellow are neutral or unknown. Meetings are held in person at Legislative Hall 411 Legislative Ave, Dover, DE or streamed on Zoom.
You can also check here for the full list of committee meetings and click “view” next to each meeting for the full agenda and additional information.
Bills coming up the week of 5/12/25:
| Bill # | Sponsor | Summary/Description | Committee Meeting Info | Give Public Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 115 | Phillips/Lockman | Prohibits discrimination based on weight, height, or body size in transportation, public accommodation, housing, commerce and trade, employment, jury selection, education, and public administration. | House Administration Wednesday 5/14 at 3pm |
JFC Hearing Room 411 Legislative Avenue Dover, DE 19901 Zoom |
| HB 116 | Heffernan/Paradee | Allows for a discounted electric bill rate for low-income people. Provides the Public Service Commission with the flexibility to consider and approve a discounted gas or electric residential utility rate for qualified low-income customers (those eligible to participate in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), provided the discount is 20% of standard residential distribution rates. | House Natural Resources Wednesday 5/14 at 4pm |
House Majority Hearing Room (H217) 411 Legislative Avenue Dover, DE 19901 Zoom |
| HB 58 | Lynn/Hoffner | Restricts the ability of law enforcement to go after residents on immigration-related inquiries. Under this Act a law-enforcement officer of this State is not allowed to do any of the following: (1) Stop, question, arrest, search, or detain any individual based on actual or suspected citizenship or immigration status, or actual or suspected violations of federal civil immigration law. (2) Inquire about an individual’s immigration status, citizenship, place of birth, or eligibility for a social security number. (3) Make an arrest, detain, or prolong the detention of an individual based on civil immigration warrants or immigration detainers. | House Judiciary Wednesday 5/14 at 10:30am |
House Majority Hearing Room (H217) 411 Legislative Avenue Dover, DE 19901 Zoom |
| HB 96 | Lynn/Hoffner | Quarterly reporting on migrant education, drivers cards, stops. Requires the state to release reports on a variety of immigration-related request statistics from the federal government. | House Judiciary Wednesday 5/14 at 10:30am |
House Majority Hearing Room (H217) 411 Legislative Avenue Dover, DE 19901 Zoom |
| HB 133 | Snyder-Hall/Brown | Gives courts the discretion to waive fines and fees, in whole or in part, in appropriate circumstances. It also creates a presumption that fines and fees will not be imposed when a defendant shows evidence of certain conditions, including receiving a public assistance benefit or being represented by the Office of Defense Services | House Judiciary Wednesday 5/14 at 10:30am |
House Majority Hearing Room (H217) 411 Legislative Avenue Dover, DE 19901 Zoom |