Senate Agriculture Committee Meeting

Wednesday, March 11, 2026·14m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Senate Agriculture Committee addressed approval of its January 21, 2026 meeting minutes and heard testimony on House Bill 221, which would raise pesticide registration fees charged to pesticide companies. The disposition of both items remains unclear from the transcript, as neither the minutes approval nor any vote on HB 221 was explicitly declared on the record.

Key Actions

·Meeting Minutes – Approval of January 21, 2026 MinutesPassed

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Controversies

Whether a public or regulatory process is required before fees are raised above $280 toward the $500 cap

Senator Sokola [transcript: 'Senator Scala/Sokola'] asked whether a formal public or regulatory process would be required if the Department of Agriculture decided to raise the fee beyond $280 toward the $500 cap in future years. The Chair stated 'I'll have to get back to you on that answer' and acknowledged not having the answer on the record. George Clasp Jr. of the Department of Agriculture then confirmed a public/regulatory process would be required, partially resolving the question during the same hearing.

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Notable Quotes

“There would be a public process would have to go through the regulatory process. It's in our ranks also.”
George Clasp Jr., Deputy Principal Assistant, Delaware Department of Agriculture — George Clasp Jr. was responding to Senator Sokola's question about whether a formal public process would be required before the department could raise the pesticide registration fee above $280 toward the $500 cap.

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Votes

Motion to approve the January 21, 2026 meeting minutesPassed

Motion to adjournPassed

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TranscriptPreview

Is called to order as chair of the Senate Agricultural Committee. In accordance with Senate rules, this committee is authorized to be hybrid format. Any members and members of the public can participate either in person or virtually through zoom webinar. Should any member experience technical difficulties, please call 302-744-4128. The public may participate virtually by registering via the meeting link that is posted on the General Assembly's website. Instructions for providing public comment are posted on the General Assembly's website under this committee's meeting notice and will be provided during the public comment portion of this hearing. Members of the public are also welcome to attend the meeting in person and should sign the signing document for attendance and to indicate if they would like to speak on the bill. First, we'll go through a roll call. Senator Hoffner, Senator Hanson here. So there's a lot of Hoffner. Hoffner, Hoffner. Senator Pardee is absent. Senator Sikola here. Senator Hocker. And Senator Wilson is absent, but I believe he is on his way. And myself? I am here. The sufficient number of members present, the Agriculture Committee will move the first item on the agenda. All right. First, review the…

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