House Housing Committee Meeting

Tuesday, March 10, 2026·46m·▶ Watch / Listen

The House Housing Committee advanced two landlord-tenant bills — one establishing a statewide Rights and Responsibilities Guide for landlords and tenants, and another addressing key return procedures at lease end — while a third bill on summary possession was pulled at the sponsor's request.

Key Actions

·HB 229 – Summary Possession (Not Heard)No Vote

+ 2 more actions

Controversies

HB 311 — Who bears the cost of producing and printing the guide

Representative Morrison asked who would produce and print the guides and whether it would be through the Department of Housing. Representative Gray similarly asked who would fund the guides, noting 'obviously these things are going to cost something to produce.' Representative Williams answered that it would be the commission's responsibility. Scott Kidner countered with his expectation that 'the cost will then be borne by the landlord to download and make copies as needed,' qualifying the sponsor's answer.

+ 3 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“Our laws are constantly changing and it's a good way for the landlords and the tenants to understand what is. What is happening yearly down here in Dover. Sometimes I think we have a hard time keeping up with it.”
Representative Williams (bill sponsor, HB 311) — Representative Williams explained the core rationale for HB 311, which would require the Delaware Real Estate Commission to create and distribute an annual statewide guide on landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Motion to release House Bill 311 from committee (moved by Representative Wilson Anton, seconded by Representative Ortega)Passed

Yes (7)Chair Johnson, Rep. Gorman, Rep. Ortega, Rep. Wilson Anton, Rep. Jones Giltner, Rep. Gray, Rep. Morrison

Absent (6)Vice Chair Lambert, Rep. Bolden, Rep. Carson, Rep. Moore, Rep. Hensley, Rep. Spiegelman

Motion to release House Bill 217 from committee (moved by Representative Wilson Anton, seconded by Representative Larry Lambert)Passed

Yes (8)Chair Johnson, Representative Lambert, Representative Gorman, Representative Ortega, Representative Wilson Anton, Representative Jones Giltner, Representative Gray, Representative Morrison

Absent (5)Representative Bolden, Representative Carson, Representative Moore, Representative Hensley, Representative Spiegelman

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TranscriptPreview

Like, we cannot be the only people who are excited about this. Right. There's not. Okay. Much better. Thank you. You make sure you get some of this joy, okay? This joy only happens here. Oh, my goodness. Good morning, everyone. Way down here. Good morning. Thank you. I love your enthusiasm. Between the time our voice reaches. Yeah. Okay. Oh, gosh. So before we get things started, members, I want you to remember that there are microphones at the desk and that they will pick up all of our conversations quite easily. The mics are connected to the live stream so that the public may watch the proceedings. The House Housing Committee meeting is called to order. Members of the public can participate either in person or virtually via Zoom webinar. The public can participate virtually by registering through the meeting link posted on the General Assembly's website. Instructions for public comment are available on the website under this committee meeting's notice and will also be shared during the public comment portion of the hearing. Written comments may also be submitted to House Committee commentellaware.gov and any comments received within 24 hours after the hearing will be included in…

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