House Labor Committee Meeting

Tuesday, March 10, 2026·32m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Delaware House Labor Committee advanced two labor-friendly bills over Republican objections, releasing HB 84 — which bans mandatory employer meetings on political or religious topics — and SB 26 — which allows striking workers to collect unemployment benefits after a two-week waiting period.

Key Actions

·HB 84 – Prohibition on Mandatory Employer Political/Religious MeetingsPassed

+ 1 more action

Controversies

Whether lack of formal complaints undermines the case for HB 84

Representative Cook argued that legislation must be grounded in formal complaints and data, stating the bill felt like 'feel good' legislation with 'no data, no nothing.' Representative Morrison countered that formal complaints cannot exist because the conduct is not currently illegal, meaning the Department of Labor could not accept such a complaint — making the absence of complaints a consequence of the legal gap the bill is designed to close. Cook explicitly stated 'I'm not gonna agree with you on that one' and 'I disagree.'

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Notable Quotes

“There's not one union that wants to strike. Not one. But what happens is the employer who holds the cards. When you're at the table and you're talking economics, it's either take it or leave it. What are you going to do go on strike? You're not going to be eligible for unemployment. So they hold the cards. This only levels the playing field.”
Nelson Hill, President, Delaware State AFL-CIO and Vice President, UFCW Local 27 — Hill was testifying in support of SB 26, which would allow striking workers to collect unemployment benefits after a two-week waiting period, arguing the bill corrects a power imbalance at the bargaining table.

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Votes

Motion to release HB 84 (House substitute 1 for House Bill 84) from committeePassed

Yes (7)Representative Bolden, Representative Burns, Representative Cook, Representative Lambert, Representative Morrison, Chair Osienski, Representative Phillips

Absent (5)Representative Collins (called, no response recorded), Representative Gray, Representative Ross Levin, Vice Chair Williams, Representative York

Motion to release SB 26 from committeePassed

Yes (7)Representative Bolden, Representative Burns, Representative Cook, Representative Lambert, Representative Morrison, Chair Osienski, Representative Phillips

Absent (2)Representative Collins (had left), last three members noted as absent — names not individually restated in this roll call

Motion to adjournNo Vote

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TranscriptPreview

Well, Kim is in doing her bill in. Linda said he came economic development. Oh, you already know. Yeah, we just need four to start and it is one o'. Clock. We have sessions starting at two, so I'd like to get at least something started here. Okay, I'm ready. We can go live. Members, please sit in the seat in which your committee's name placard is placed. And don't forget that you do have to turn these microphones on to speak. Public comment will be limited to one minute. After questions from members of the General assembly, we will first take public comment from in person and then virtual. This meeting will conclude at 2pm and any remaining public comments that remain can be submitted to House Committee commentullaware.gov Again, that's House Committee commentollaware.gov Written comments will be accepted until 24 hours after a meeting has concluded. The House Labor Committee, located in the Joint Finance Committee hearing room, is now in session. Committee members, please note that the mics in this room have to be turned on to be used. The public physically present for the meeting may sign up on the speaker list for the bill they…

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