Be On The Record
BlogSign inSubscribe
HearingsBillsAlerts
← Hearings

House Labor Committee Meeting

Tuesday, April 14, 2026·28m·▶ Watch / Listen

The House Labor Committee released two bills from committee: HB 273, which would bar employers from requesting employees' or applicants' political party affiliation, voting history, or campaign contributions, was released with 10 yes votes, one dissenting vote, and one absence after debate over employer penalties and business climate concerns; SB 248, a technical fix to restore the maximum workplace safety insurance premium credit to 12%, was released after the chair confirmed sufficient votes, with no exact count stated.

Key Actions

·HB 273 – Employer Prohibition on Political Information RequestsNo Vote

+ 1 more action

Controversies

Whether HB 273 unfairly burdens employers

Representative Collins argued he was worried about Delaware 'constantly coming up with new ways to let employers know they should be uncomfortable' and wished the committee 'would stop thinking about ways to make it harder for employees and come up with ways to make it easier to employ people,' raising a hypothetical about a politically sensitive business hiring an executive who supports an opposing politician. Representative Morrison countered that 'this is about protecting employees' and that 'there's just no reason for an employer to have to know these things unless it's required by law.'

+ 3 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“Last August, after almost 10 years, I was laid off from my job in corporate America. As I applied for new jobs online, I was shocked to discover that for about 1/2 to 2/3 of those jobs, the application process included a request to list any and all political contributions I had ever made.”

Representative Morrison — Representative Morrison, the sponsor of HB 273, explained the personal experience that motivated him to introduce a bill prohibiting employers from requesting employees' or applicants' political contribution history.

+ 3 more quotes

Votes

Motion to release HB 273 from committeeNo Vote
Yes (10)Representative Bolden, Representative Burns, Representative Collins, Representative Cook, Representative Gray, Representative Lambert, Representative Morrison, Chair Osienski, Representative Ross Levin, Representative K. Williams
No (1)Representative Yearick
Absent (1)Representative Phillips
Motion to release SB 248 from committeeNo Vote
Yes (9)Representative Bolden, Representative Burns, Representative Cook, Representative Gray, Representative Lambert, Representative Morrison, Chair Osienski, Representative Ross Levin, Representative K. Williams
Absent (1)Representative Phillips
Unlock the full summary

Subscribe to see all key actions, controversies, quotes, and what's next.

Sign in to subscribe
TranscriptPreview
Members, please sit in the seats in which your committee's name place card has been placed. 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 we'll go to virtual. This meeting will conclude at 2pm and any remaining public comments that remain can be submitted to House Committee CommentOlaware.gov written comments will be accepted until 24 hours after a meeting has concluded. The the House Labor Committee located in the Joint Finance Committee hearing room today is now in session. Committee members, please note that the mics in this room have to be turned on to be used public. Physically present for the meeting may sign up on the Speaker's list for the bill they would like to sign. Justin is taking that sign up. This begins today's meeting by taking a roll call. Representative Bolden. Present. Representative Burns. Present. Representative Collins. Present. Representative Cook. Present. Representative Gray. Present. Representative Lambert. Present. Representative Morrison. Present. Chair Osinski. President. President. President. Representative Phillips is absent. Representative Ross Levin. Present. Vice Chair Kim Williams Is absent. And Representative Year. Present. Okay, having a quorum.…
Continue reading

Subscribe to unlock the full transcript, summary, and search across all Delaware committee hearings.

Sign in to subscribe