House Administration Committee Meeting

Wednesday, January 28, 2026·49m·▶ Watch / Listen

The House Administration Committee advanced three bills related to New Castle County property tax assessment reform, a new Office of New Americans, and hospital budget review, while sending a fourth bill — granting county subpoena power over property records — to floor circulation amid opposition over speed and civil liberties concerns.

Key Actions

·SS1 for SB 230 – County Subpoena Power for Property Tax RecordsNo Vote

+ 3 more actions

Controversies

Speed of SB228 and SB230 moving through the legislature

Scott Kittner argued both bills were introduced on the 22nd at 1103 and 1104, voted on in Senate committee by approximately 1230 or 1245, and were on the Senate floor that afternoon, calling the pace absolutely rushed, and asked that both bills not be brought forward. Representative Burns acknowledged the timeline was rushed but defended it by arguing quality control must begin before tax bills go out end of summer and that delaying over a month for a joint finances meeting is not a tenable option.

+ 3 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“The General assembly must do everything in its power to enable the county so another round of property tax bills do not go out based on egregious errors.”
Representative Romer — Romer was presenting SB228, which would authorize New Castle County to conduct a quality control review of commercial property assessments, arguing the bill was necessary before the next tax bills are issued.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Circulation for signatures — SS1 for Senate Bill 230 with Senate Amendment 1No Vote

No (1)Leader Dukes (stated non-support)

Absent (1)Whip Spiegelman (not voting due to perceived conflict of interest)

Motion to release — SS1 for Senate Bill 228 with House Amendment 1Passed

Yes (3)Chair Harris, Vice Chair Osienski, Speaker Minor Brown

No (1)Leader Dukes

Absent (1)Whip Spiegelman (not voting due to conflict)

Motion to release — Senate Bill 27 with Senate Amendment 2Passed

Yes (5)Chair Harris, Vice Chair Osienski, Speaker Minor Brown, Leader Dukes, Whip Spiegelman

Motion to release — Senate Bill 213 with Senate Amendment 1Passed

Yes (4)Chair Harris, Vice Chair Osienski, Leader Dukes, Whip Spiegelman

Absent (1)Speaker Minor Brown (individual response unclear in transcript)

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TranscriptPreview

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 website. Instructions for providing public comment are available on the website under this committee's meeting notice and will also be shared with the public comment during the public comment portion of the hearing. Written comments received within 24 hours after 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 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 taken any votes that are taken may be taken by roll call vote. 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 House floor session. We'll begin with a roll call attendance. Chair Harris…

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