Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 3rd Legislative Day

Thursday, January 15, 2026·1h 4m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Delaware Senate's 3rd Legislative Day passed eleven items unanimously or near-unanimously, including bills fixing a community solar interconnection problem and a compassionate release technical drafting error, while confirming six judicial nominees and receiving a retirement announcement from Senator Sokola, who stated this will be his last term after 36 years in the General Assembly.

Key Actions

·SCR 126 – Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Passed

+ 10 more actions

Controversies

AI in classrooms — unnamed opposition vs. Malcolm Coley

Malcolm Coley, founder of Ready Prompt 1, stated during personal privilege testimony on HCR 81 that 'there is a loud chorus of voices calling for us to slow down' and that 'some want to keep AI out of our classrooms and away from our students,' arguing this approach would hinder rather than protect students. He did not name any specific individual or legislator as the source of this opposition.

+ 1 more controversy

Notable Quotes

“It is with a heart full of gratitude when I say this will be my last term in office. I will not be seeking re election this fall.”
Senator Sokola — Senator Sokola, who stated this is the start of his 36th year in the General Assembly and that he was first elected in 1990, made a personal privilege statement announcing his retirement.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Senate Concurrent Resolution 126 – Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Passed

Yes (17)Brown, Buckson, Cruce, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson, Lockman, Pettyjohn, Poore, Richardson, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson

Senate Concurrent Resolution 127 – Automobile Insurance Reform Task Force Deadline ExtensionPassed

Yes (17)Brown, Buckson, Cruce, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lawson, Lockman, Pettyjohn, Poore, Richardson, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson

Nomination of Michael Bundyk – Justice of the Peace, Kent CountyNo Vote

Nomination of Cassandra Davis – Justice of the Peace, Kent CountyNo Vote

Nomination of [Name unclear STT?] – Justice of the Peace, Kent CountyNo Vote

Nomination of Hon. Christine Kellen Benz – Justice of the Peace, Sussex County (Reappointment)No Vote

Executive Committee Consent Calendar 7 – Martin B. O'Connor and Earl McFarlandPassed

House Concurrent Resolution 80 – Joint Session for Governor's State of the State AddressPassed

Yes (1)All senators present except Richardson

Absent (1)Richardson

House Concurrent Resolution 81 – Computer Science Education WeekPassed

Senate Bill 210 – Community Solar Facility Interconnection FixPassed

Senate Bill 224 – Compassionate Release Technical Drafting FixPassed

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TranscriptPreview

Good afternoon. Members and guests, please take your seat. Sergeant in arms, please close the doors. And everyone, please silence your mobile devices. I was encouraged to use the gavel more and I feel like that might have worked. Fantastic. Members and guests, welcome. Senate is adjourned. Is reconvened. I apologize, Mr. Secretary. Any communications? Madam President. Reports from Executive Committee. Madam Reading. Clerk, please read in committee reports. The Senate Executive Committee to which the nomination of criminal Mumford has been referred on January 8, 2026, reports the same back to the Senate on January 15, 2026, 7 favorable. The Senate Executive Committee, to which the nomination of Don Hopkins has been referred on January 8, 2026, reports the same back to the Senate on January 15, 2026, 7 favorable. The Senate executive Committee, to which the nomination of Rodney Biobee has been referred on January 8, 2026, reports the same back to the Senate. On January 15, 2026, seven favorable. The Senate executive Committee, to which the nomination of Deborah Mason has been referred on January 8, 2026, reports the same back to the Senate on January 15, 2026, 7 favorable. Madam President, that concludes the reading of…

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