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House Judiciary Committee Meeting

Wednesday, April 15, 2026·1h 41m·▶ Watch / Listen

The House Judiciary Committee killed a bill that would have made assaulting elected officials a Class D felony, with most members voting against elevating their own protections, while advancing bills on family-member impersonation scams, out-of-state PFA firearms restrictions, juvenile justice education, and several technical corporate law amendments.

Key Actions

·HB 316 – Assault on Elected Officials (Class D Felony)Failed

+ 6 more actions

Controversies

HB 316 — Whether elected officials should receive elevated assault protections

Representative Morrison argued the bill does not elevate elected officials above state employees but merely puts them 'on par with state employees,' pointing to prior bills elevating penalties for medical and emergency personnel. Representative Jones Giltner countered that 'this bill feels like it's elevating me' and that elected officials should be 'no different than the people that I represent.' Representative Griffith stated 'I don't think this bill is going to be a deterrent to somebody coming up to us or hurting us if they're so inclined' and expressed discomfort with 'continuing to add different individuals based on positions into classifications that exist for the crimes.'

+ 4 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“Chair. Representative Morrison. I. I struggle with this because as an elected official, I think of myself as a gentle person. , not gentlemen, but gentle person. And I'm supposed to be a common, everyday person out there. And this bill feels it's elevating me. And”

Representative Jones Giltner — Representative Jones Giltner was explaining her opposition to HB 316, which would have made it a Class D felony to assault an elected official due to their elected position, arguing that elected officials should not be placed in a protected class above ordinary citizens.

+ 3 more quotes

Votes

Motion to release HB 316 from committeeFailed
Yes (2)Representative Phillips, Representative Romer
No (6)Representative Bush, Representative Cook, Representative Gorman, Representative Jones Giltner, Representative Postles, Representative Griffith
Absent (2)Representative Lynn, Representative Short
Motion to release HB 326 from committeePassed
Yes (7)Representative Bush, Representative Cook, Representative Gorman, Representative Jones Giltner, Representative Postles, Representative Romer, Representative Griffith
No (2)Representative Lynn, Representative Phillips
Absent (1)Representative Short
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TranscriptPreview
There are microphones at your desk that will pick up conversations easily. These microphones are connected to the live stream so that the public may watch the proceedings. The House Judiciary Committee is called to order. In accordance with House rules, members of the public are able to participate either in person or virtually through Zoom webinar. The public can participate virtually by registering through the meeting link posted on the General Assembly's website. Instructions for providing public comment are available on the website under this committee meeting's notice and will also be shared during the public comment portion of the meeting. Written comments may be submitted to House Committee commentelaware.gov and any comments received within 24 hours after the hearing will be included in the public record. All public comments must pertain to the subject matter of the bill. Members of the public physically present for the meeting may sign up on the speaker list for the bill they would like to speak on. Please note that any votes that may be taken shall be done by a roll call vote. We will be offering the bill for signatures to the committee members not present. If it receives enough…
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