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Joint Legislative Council Committee Meeting

Friday, February 20, 2026·2h 30m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Joint Legislative Council advanced a ~$100 million Legislative Hall expansion and parking garage over one member's objection, approved pursuit of an NCSL legislator security grant, and conducted FY2027 budget orientations for the Fire Prevention Commission, DelDOT, and DHSS — with the vast majority of Fire Prevention Commission requests left unrecommended by the Governor.

Key Actions

·Legislative Hall Expansion – Building Committee Plan ApprovalPassed

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Controversies

Legislative Hall expansion vs. school construction funding

Representative Spiegelman argued it was difficult to support a $100 million project when school districts in his district said the money could have educated more kids in the Townsend and Smyrna area. Senator Sokola countered that $70 million per year had been put into community reinvestment 'for a few years' and that those expenditures are 'far more questionable expenses of funds than something that involves security and public access,' while also noting the bond bill committee should prioritize school construction above community reinvestment if referenda pass. Senator Townsend characterized opposition voices as 'exceptionally politically opportunistic' and 'a disservice to Delaware.'

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Notable Quotes

“And then on the second floor will be additional House and Senate offices and some smaller meeting spaces for staff. Next please. And this is a view from the archives parking lot almost. So there'll be a plaza. You can see the new parking garage in the back there with the new addition. There are bollards for vehicle safety so they won't be able to get into the plaza. There will be Some ability for fire companies to get into that area closer to the building. And then you'll also see the Revolutionary War statue, the Dover Light infantry. And the Middle east and Afghan conflicts is just several of the plaques and memorials that we'll”

Senator Sokola — Senator Sokola moved to approve the ~$100 million Legislative Hall expansion plan, arguing the need for additional space, security, and public access justified the expenditure.

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Votes

Approve the Legislative Building Committee's plan as presentedPassed
Yes (8)Representative Harris, Senator Hocker, Senator Lockman, Madam Speaker, Representative Osienski, Senator Pettyjohn, Senator Sokola (Pro Tem), Senator Townsend
No (1)Representative Spiegelman
Absent (1)Representative Dukes
Pursue funding from NCSL's Legislative Security Fund Grant as presentedPassed
Yes (9)Representative Harris, Senator Hocker, Senator Lockman, Madam Speaker, Representative Osienski, Senator Pettyjohn, Senator Sokola (Pro Tem), Representative Spiegelman, Senator Townsend
Absent (1)Representative Dukes
Adopt Proposal B (post-executive session; subject matter not stated on public record)Passed
Yes (8)Representative Harris, Senator Hocker, Senator Lockman, Madam Speaker, Representative Osienski, Senator Pettyjohn, Representative Spiegelman, Senator Townsend
Absent (2)Representative Dukes, Senator Sokola (Pro Tem)
Adopt Recommendation A (post-executive session; subject matter not stated on public record)Passed
Yes (6)Representative Harris, Senator Lockman, Madam Speaker, Representative Osienski, Senator Sokola (Pro Tem), Senator Townsend
No (3)Senator Hocker, Senator Pettyjohn, Representative Spiegelman
Absent (1)Representative Dukes
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TranscriptPreview
Members, please take your seats. On today's agenda, we will start with orientation for fire. That includes the fire school, the Fire Prevention Commission, as well as the fire marshal. Then we will have orientation for del.del. will be heard after lunch and then after the del. Hearing. Before we break for the day, we will do the orientation for dhss. No, we're going to do the orientation for DHSS this morning as well, just after Fire or Delta and we'll do DHSS orientation. Okay, let me. Let me restate that. We will actually do the orientation for DHSS after we complete the orientation for DEL dot. And just as a reminder to everyone here today and anyone who is tuning in, the Joint Finance Committee will be meeting on Monday beginning at 9:00am so with that, Mr. Smith, please kick off the orientation starting with fire. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So we will be under tab 75. 00 in your binders for the Fire Prevention Commission. The Fire Prevention Commission is made up of the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Delaware State Fire, the State Fire Commission for fiscal year 2026. The base budget contains 28.5 ASFF…
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