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House Administration Committee Meeting

Wednesday, March 18, 2026·50m·▶ Watch / Listen

The House Administration Committee advanced two bills — one establishing Diwali as a state celebratory holiday and one requiring background checks for the Office of Auditor of Accounts — while defeating a proposed constitutional amendment that would have required a three-fifths supermajority to suspend House rules.

Key Actions

·HB 219 – Diwali Day State Celebratory HolidayPassed

+ 2 more actions

Controversies

Whether requiring a three-fifths supermajority to suspend House rules impairs emergency legislative response (HB 239)

Chair Harris argued the bill creates more barriers than benefits and could limit the legislature's ability to respond at a time when timing really matters and when unprecedented situations arise daily. Spiegelman countered that if a bill truly has emergency support it would reach three-fifths anyway, and offered to amend the bill to exempt declared states of emergency, but Harris stated she still could not support it.

+ 4 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“Diwali is a five day festival of lights. It represents prosperity, light over dark, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diyas are lit, families wear new clothes, mithai are exchanged and the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi is prayed to.”

Representative Phillips — Representative Phillips made this statement while presenting HB 219, which would make Diwali a state celebratory holiday in Delaware.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Motion to release HB 219Passed
Yes (4)Chair Harris, Vice Chair Osienski, Leader Dukes, Spiegelman
Motion to release HB 304Passed
Yes (4)Chair Harris, Vice Chair Osienski, Leader Dukes, Spiegelman
Motion to release HB 239Failed
Yes (2)Leader Dukes, Spiegelman
No (2)Chair Harris, Vice Chair Osienski
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TranscriptPreview
Nicole, you're good. Is called to order. In accordance with House 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's meeting's notice and will also be shared during the public comment portion of the hearing. Written comments received within 24 hours of the hearing will be included in the public record. Instructions for providing public comment are posted on the General Assembly's website under this committee's meeting's notice and will be provided during the public comment portion of this hearing. Members of the public physically present for the meeting may sign up on the Speaker's list for the bill that they would like to speak on. Please note that any votes that may be taken shall be done by roll call vote. We will be noted. We will be offering the bill for signatures to committee members not present. If it receives enough signatures for release from committee, it will be reported out on the legislative website and announced on the…
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