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Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 2nd Legislative Day

Wednesday, January 14, 2026·2h 50m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Delaware Senate passed two bills — a technical governance cleanup for the Delaware Institute for Dental Education and Research (SB 191) and a bill formally establishing the Office of New Americans (SB 27) — both by unanimous 21-0 votes, though SB 27 was amended to include a three-year sunset provision that passed 19-2 over the objections of Senators Cruce and Seigfried.

Key Actions

·SB 191 – Delaware Institute for Dental Education and ResearchPassed

+ 5 more actions

Controversies

Definition of 'immigrant' and legal status of individuals served by SB 27

Senator Lawson asked Senator Brown to define 'immigrant' as used in the bill and specifically asked whether the individuals served are legally here, stating 'This isn't an I gotcha. I just want to make sure we're on the same page.' Senator Brown responded that the bill does not define the term but that 'foreign born residents are legally here.' Senator Lawson pressed: 'If you're saying they have a green card visa, is that what works? Are they legally here?' Senator Brown confirmed: 'Yes. Yes. Green card visa is legally here.'

+ 3 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“In 2023, immigrants comprised 15.1% of the state's labor force and contributed approximately 440 million in state and local taxes.”

Senator Brown — Senator Brown, sponsor of SB 27 formalizing the Office of New Americans, presented statistics on the floor to support the bill's premise that foreign-born residents are economically significant contributors to Delaware.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Roll call on Senate Bill 191Passed
Yes (17)Senator Brown, Senator Cruce, Senator Hansen, Senator Hocker, Senator Hoffner, Senator Huxtable, Senator Lawson, Senator Lockman, Senator Pettyjohn (initially recorded absent, then changed to Yes), Senator Poore, Senator Richardson, Senator Seigfried, Senator Sokola, Senator Sturgeon, Senator Townsend, Senator Walsh, Senator Wilson
Roll call on Senate Amendment Number 2 to Senate Bill Number 27Passed
Yes (14)Senator Brown, Senator Hansen, Senator Hocker, Senator Hoffner, Senator Huxtable, Senator Lawson, Senator Lockman, Senator Pettyjohn, Senator Richardson, Senator Sokola, Senator Sturgeon, Senator Townsend, Senator Walsh, Senator Wilson
No (1)Senator Seigfried
Roll call on Senate Bill Number 27 as amended by Senate Amendment Number 2Passed
Yes (16)Senator Brown, Senator Cruce, Senator Hansen, Senator Hocker, Senator Hoffner, Senator Huxtable, Senator Lawson, Senator Lockman, Senator Poore, Senator Richardson, Senator Seigfried, Senator Sokola, Senator Sturgeon, Senator Townsend, Senator Walsh, Senator Wilson
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TranscriptPreview
Recording in progress. Good afternoon. The Senate is reconvened. Members and guests, please take your seats. Sergeant, arms, please close the doors. Everyone please silence your mobile devices. Mr. Secretary. Any communications? Madam President? Communications from the House. Madam Reading Clerk, please read in House communications. The House wishes to inform the Senate that it has passed Senate Bill 106 as amended by Senate Amendment 2 and House Amendment 2 and request the concurrence of the Senate. Further, the House wishes to inform the Senate that it has passed Senate concurrent resolutions 124 and 125 and returning the same to the Senate. Madam President, that concludes the reading of communications from the House. Thank you, Madam Reading Clerk. Mr. Secretary. Madam President. President Pro tems is to pre file legislation. Thank you, Madam President. May so much be considered the reading of the pre filed legislation. See no objection so moved. Mr. Secretary. Madam President, reports from various committees. Madam Reading Clerk, please read in committee reports. The Senate Executive Committee, to which the nomination of Michael Bundyk has been referred on January 8, 2026, reports the same back to the Senate on January 14, 2026. Five favorable two on…
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