House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 11th Legislative Day

Thursday, March 12, 2026·2h 53m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Delaware House passed nine measures on March 12, 2026, including a contested bill codifying federal clinic and house-of-worship access protections into state law (HS 1 for HB 272, passing 23-12) and a bill reducing the minimum bartending age from 21 to 18 (HB 195, passing 31-5), while also unanimously clearing a dental education update (SB 191, 35-1) and a community solar bill (SB 210, 36-0).

Key Actions

·SCR 141 – Turner Syndrome Awareness MonthPassed

+ 11 more actions

Controversies

HS 1 for HB 272 – civil damages exposure and financial ruin for first-time nonviolent offenders

Representative Hilovsky questioned what protection the bill offers 'to a first time non violent offender from financial ruin,' noting that lines 29 to 33 permit punitive damages and statutory damages of $5,000 per violation in private civil actions with 'no seemingly limitation,' and raised the scenario where multiple persons could each file separate claims. Representative Heffernan responded that it 'would have to be a civil suit filed against the person,' that courts would determine the penalty, and that the bill is 'trying to address harmful, violent behavior,' not situations where 'someone's feelings got hurt.'

+ 2 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“Just this past week, seven fallen heroes arrived at Dover Air Force Base for a dignified transfer of remains performed with the highest level of respect by their fellow soldiers. We will never forget them. We will never forget them because when their lives were on the line and they did not forget us, they answered the call. They stood in harm's way, and they paid the price for our freedom.”
National Commander Dan Wiley, American Legion — The American Legion National Commander addressed the Delaware House in tribute to fallen service members, referencing a recent dignified transfer of remains at Dover Air Force Base.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Voice vote on SCR 141 – Turner Syndrome Awareness MonthPassed

Voice vote on SCR 144 – Delaware State Parks 75th AnniversaryPassed

Voice vote on SCR 145 – National Pet DayPassed

Voice vote on SCR 146 – World Cholangiocarcinoma DayPassed

Voice vote on SCR 147 – Delaware Libraries 125th AnniversaryPassed

Roll call on HB 195 – Bartending AgePassed

Yes (21)Berry, Burns, Bush, Carson, Chukwuocha, Cook, Gorman, Gray, Harris, Heffernan, Jones Giltner, Lambert, Lynn, Moore, Morrison, Phillips, Romer, D. Short, Spiegelman, Williams, Madam Speaker

No (2)Collins, Dukes

Absent (5)Bolden, Griffith, Hensley, Morrison, Ortega

Roll call on HS 1 for HB 272 – Crimes Against Public Order (Clinic/House of Worship Access)Passed

Yes (16)Berry, Burns, Bush, Carson, Chukwuocha, Cook, Gorman, Harris, Heffernan, Lambert, Moore, Morrison, Phillips, Romer, Williams, Madam Speaker

No (6)Collins, Dukes, Gray, Jones Giltner, Lynn, D. Short

Absent (5)Bolden, Griffith, Hensley, Morrison, Ortega

Roll call on SB 191 – Delaware Institute for Dental Education and ResearchPassed

Yes (23)Berry, Burns, Bush, Carson, Chukwuocha, Collins, Cook, Dukes, Gorman, Gray, Harris, Heffernan, Jones Giltner, Lambert, Lynn, Moore, Morrison, Phillips, Romer, D. Short, Spiegelman, Williams, Madam Speaker

Absent (5)Bolden, Griffith, Hensley, Morrison, Ortega

Roll call on SB 210 – Public Utilities / Community SolarPassed

Absent (5)Bolden, Griffith, Hensley, Morrison, Ortega

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TranscriptPreview

The House will come to order. Members and guests, please take your seats and silence your cell phones. Mr. Chief Clerk, are there any communications? Yes, Madam Speaker. Madam speaker, the Senate wishes to inform the House that It passed on March 11, 2026. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 230, as amended by Senate Amendment 1, and House Amendment 1 is returning the same to the House. Madam Speaker, House Committee reports for March 11, 2026, from House Judiciary, House Bill 265, 7 favorable, 2 on its merits. House Bill 293, 8 favorable, 1 on its merits. From Revenue and Finance, House Bill 2 96, 8 on its merits. From Elections and Government affairs, House Bill 188, 1 favorable, 4 on its merits and House Bill 301, 5 favorable, 2 on its merits. From House Education. House Bill 256, 1 favorable, 11 on its merits. House Bill 262, 11 on its merits. House bill 264, 11 on its merits. House Billy 259, 11 on its merits. House BILL 214, 11 on its merits. House BIll 309, 9 on its merits and House Bill 312, 11 on its merits. From Natural Resources and energy. House Bill 308, 11 on its…

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