This week in dover

Today wraps up the first week back for the General Assembly from Joint Finance Committee break. Several bills which the State Chamber is engaged on saw movement.
 
Of note, SS 1 for SB 21 passed the Senate and now moves to the House for consideration. The bill updates Delaware’s corporate law. The Delaware State Chamber and Delaware Business Roundtable released the following joint statement:
 
“Delaware has been the incorporating jurisdiction of choice for businesses seeking balance and predictability in matters of corporate law for generations. In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, changes to Delaware’s corporate law are inevitable. As a result, it is essential that adjustments are carefully and collaboratively considered.

We applaud Governor Meyer and the General Assembly for their leadership in addressing Delaware’s corporate franchise in the face of competition from other states that do not have the distinctive advantages of Delaware corporate law, including its expert judges on the Court of Chancery, talented corporate bar, rich caseload of decisions, and the willingness of its elected leaders to ensure that Delaware remains the gold standard for corporate law. Accordingly, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Business Roundtable support Senate Bill 21.

Delaware’s business community has always been committed to supporting policies that are in the best interest of our state. The State’s reliance on substantial sums coming from outside of the state to fuel state government spending demonstrates the need for pro-growth policies and diversification of the Delaware economy.” 
 
Other bills that saw movement included SB 59, 60, and 61 related to public utilities. All were released from the Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee and placed on the Senate Ready List. The State Chamber testified in opposition to SB 60 and 61.
 
Other bills introduced and awaiting consideration:

• HB 48 – Accessible Parking Spaces: Act adds provisions to Title 21 to better regulate, define, and enforce accessible parking spaces in Delaware.
  • State Chamber Position: Opposed
  • Status: Assigned to House Health & Human Development Committee

 

• SB 63 – General Contractor Liability: Makes a general contractor responsible for a subcontractor’s compliance with Chapter 35 by making the general contractor jointly and severally liable for restitution and penalties assessed against the subcontractor. This Act also allows the Department to deny, suspend, or revoke the certificate of registration of a contractor who contracts with a subcontractor who has not registered on any project.
  • State Chamber Position: Opposed
  • Status: Assigned to Senate Labor Committee

 

• HB 36 – Discrimination: Delaware has several broad laws that prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, housing, employment, and insurance, but it also has many narrow non-discrimination laws that apply to a specific entity or type of entity, even though a broad law also prohibits discrimination by that entity. This Act aligns the narrower non-discrimination laws with the applicable broad non-discrimination law by also prohibiting discrimination on any other basis protected under the applicable broad law.
  • State Chamber Position: Engaged and gathering feedback
  • Status: Assigned to House Administration Committee

 

• HB 67 – Private Tow Companies: Creates a new chapter in Title 21 pertaining to the towing of vehicles without the consent of the owner or operator. It makes violations of the chapter an unlawful practice enforceable by the Consumer Protection Unit of the Department of Justice and creates certain requirements for the towing and storage of vehicles without the consent of the owner or operator.
  • State Chamber Position: Engaged and gathering feedback
  • Status: Assigned to House Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee

 
Please let me know if any of these bills impact your business.
 
Lastly, our 2025-2026 Legislative Roster is now available in both print and electronic formats! If you’d like to place a Roster order, please complete this form and return it to me at [email protected].

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