By Tyler Micik



As the General Assembly continues its 153rd session, the State Chamber remains actively engaged on several issues that could have significant implications for Delaware’s business community. From pay transparency to updates to Delaware’s corporate law, the diversity of proposed legislation reflects the evolving challenges facing our members.

In March, Governor Meyer presented his FY 2026 budget reset—totaling over $6.58 billion, which is about a 7.4% increase over this year’s budget, while the state’s revenue is only expected to grow by 1.9%. To help close this gap, the budget calls for the creation of three new personal income tax brackets for those who make $125,000; $250,000; and $500,000, along with raising the cigarette tax by 50 cents. That said, expenses are outpacing revenues, and determining what gets funded—and what doesn’t— will require making some hard decisions.

There are several bills the State Chamber is particularly engaged on that recently passed or are making their way through the legislative process.

Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 21 was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Meyer in late March. The bill amends Delaware’s corporate law by providing clearer frameworks for transactions involving interested parties and refining stockholder rights to provide legal clarity and predictability for corporations—essential qualities in maintaining Delaware’s status as the nation’s preferred place of incorporation. The State Chamber has always been committed to supporting policies that are in the best interest of our state, and this is no exception. That said, the State’s reliance on substantial sums of money coming from outside its borders to fuel government spending demonstrates the need for pro-growth policies and the diversification of its economy.

House Bill 105, pay transparency, is another bill that our members have expressed concerns over. The bill requires businesses with 11 or more employees to post salary or wage ranges in all job advertisements, both internally and externally, and to maintain detailed records of job descriptions and compensation histories for each employee. It also grants the Delaware Department of Labor enforcement authority and imposes penalties for violations.

While we support the goals of pay transparency and equity, the bill’s strict compliance requirements, potential for costly penalties, and administrative burden pose challenges for employers, especially small businesses. Additionally, wage ranges can vary based on market demand, candidate experience, and other dynamic factors. Requiring rigid disclosures risks reducing flexibility in hiring and may unintentionally deter some businesses from expanding or posting new roles.

For example, in states where pay transparency laws are already in effect, a common concern among employers is that once salary ranges are posted, current employees may expect to be paid at the top of the range, leading to internal dissatisfaction and tension. These postings could also encourage more job shopping and higher employee turnover, potentially driving wage inflation and putting small businesses at risk of closure.

Other bills we are following include Senate Bill 63, general contractor liability; House Bill 84, employer-sponsored meetings and communications; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 13, personal income tax changes; Senate Bill 89, credit card transactions; House Bill 111, single-use food service items; House Bill 115, discrimination based on weight, height or body size; and a draft chatbot disclosure bill.

The State Chamber remains committed to advocating for our members and will continue to work on these bills through June 30. To stay informed, we hope you will consider joining one of the State Chamber’s policy committees and attending our Small Business Day in Dover on May 15 or End-of-Session Policy Conference on May 21. For more information, please contact me at [email protected].

The General Assembly wraps up a busy week today and will go on spring recess for two weeks. They’ll return to session on Tuesday, May 6, with 18 session days remaining. One bill of note heard in committee was HB 57, which pertains to home construction contracts. The State Chamber is opposed to the bill as written because it limits deposits in a way that forces small contractors to front material costs out-of-pocket, something many simply can’t afford. It also requires work to begin within thirty days of receiving a 50% deposit, regardless of supply chain delays. The bill was tabled in committee.
 
A substitute bill to HB 48 (accessible parking spaces) was introduced this week. You can view the bill here. The Act adds provisions to Title 21 to better regulate, define, and enforce accessible parking spaces in Delaware. The Delaware State Chamber is seeking feedback on the bill.
 
Although the General Assembly is on break, our work continues, and we’ll be having conversations on these and other key bills like HB 105 (pay transparency) and HS 1 for HB 13 (personal income tax changes), among others.
 
The Delaware State Chamber will also be discussing these topics at our End of Session Policy Conference on May 21. Attendees will hear about key bills before the General Assembly from the policymakers sponsoring them, as well as from Speaker of the House Melissa Minor-Brown and Senate President Pro Tempore David Sokola, who will share their respective chambers’ priorities ahead of adjournment. Register here >

By Tyler Micik

This was a busy week for the Delaware General Assembly – especially the House of Representatives. Most notably, SS 1 for SB 21 was passed by the House and signed by the Governor. The bill makes changes to Delaware’s corporation law. The State Chamber and Delaware Business Roundtable released a joint statement on the bill in mid-March.
 
Earlier today, Governor Meyer presented his FY26 budget reset. His plan includes updating Delaware’s tax code by adding three new tax brackets of $125,000, $250,000, and $500,000. It also includes investments in education, housing, healthcare, and government efficiency and transparency. You can watch the full recording of his budget address here.
 
Additionally, there are several bills which we are seeking our members' feedback on, including:

• HB 105 – Pay Transparency: Requires employers with 11 or more employees to include salary or wage range information in all postings for job opportunities, both internally and externally. Also requires employers to maintain records of job descriptions and salary or wage rate history for each employee for the duration of employment plus three years after their departure. Contains civil penalties from $2,000 - $10,000 per violation and gives the Department of Labor administrative action to enforce the pay transparency provision.
• HB 84 – Employer Sponsored Meetings and Communications: Prohibits employers from requiring employees to participate in mandatory meetings or communications that are religious or political in nature. Also, it prohibits employers from punishing employees for refusing to participate in the same. Meetings or communications necessary for their job duties or those that are voluntary are accepted. Violators of the bill are subject to civil penalties between $1,000 - $5,000 per violation.

• Chatbots (Draft bill – not yet introduced): Makes engaging in a commercial transaction with a consumer who interacts with computer technology, without notifying the consumer that they are not communicating with a human being, an unlawful practice. It provides a civil cause of action for damages and permits the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief and a civil penalty of not more than $5 million. You can view a copy of the draft here.

 
The General Assembly has bond hearings next week and will return to session on Tuesday, April 8th. We expect some of these bills to be heard in committee when they return. If you have any questions or feedback on any of these, please contact me at [email protected]. 

Today wrapped up a busy week in Dover in which several bills saw movement.
​

• SS 1 for SB 21 – Corporate Law: Act updates Delaware’s corporate law.
  • State Chamber Position: Support
  • Status: Released from House Judiciary Committee and placed on the House Ready List
• SB 46 – Autonomous Vehicles: Requires a human observer to be physically present in all autonomous vehicles that require a Class A commercial driver license without an O restriction—meaning tractor-trailers or trucks transporting large loads.
  • State Chamber Position: Opposed
  • Status: Passed the Senate and moves to the House for consideration
• SB 60 with SA 2 – Public Utilities: Requires the Delaware Public Service Commission to ensure that all regulated utilities do not use customer funds to subsidize unregulated activities and places a cap of $125 million per year on capital expenses for electric distribution companies.
  • State Chamber Position: Neutral based on amendment (previously opposed)
  • Status: Passed the Senate and moves to the House for consideration
• SB 61 with SA 1 – Public Utilities: Requires the disclosure of votes cast at meetings of, or matters before, the PJM Interconnection Regional Transmission Organization.
  • State Chamber Position: Neutral based on amendment (previously opposed)
  • Status: Passed the Senate and moves to the House for consideration

 
Earlier this week, Representative Ross Levin shared a draft “salary transparency” bill and requested feedback from our members. You can view the draft bill here >
 
The bill would require that employers disclose the following in internal and external job postings: (1) The hourly or salary compensation or the hourly or salary compensation range; (2) A general description of the benefits and other compensation applicable to the job opportunity; and (3) The date the application window is anticipated to close. It also requires internal postings to be provided to all employees on the same day or earlier than an external posting. Employers are required to maintain records relating to job descriptions and wage rates. The Department of Labor is empowered to enforce and investigate alleged violations.
 
We ask that employers review this draft and send any feedback or reactions to me at [email protected]. While Rep. Ross Levin gave a deadline for feedback of Thursday, March 20, we will continue to communicate any comments we receive to her. However, if you find this issue to be concerning, we encourage you to share your thoughts directly with Representative Ross Levin or your local representative. 
 
Thank you for staying engaged. Your input helps shape our advocacy efforts and ensures the unified voice of Delaware’s business community is heard. Updates on these bills and others will be continued to be provided as we move through session. 

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].

By Tyler Micik

​​Today wraps up an eventful week. On Tuesday, Matt Meyer was sworn in as Delaware’s 76th governor at Delaware State University, officially marking the beginning of a new administration. Following his swearing-in ceremony, Governor Meyer signed Executive Order No. 1. The order “establishes a statewide working group consisting of at least 15 members from across labor, educational, and nongovernmental sectors, with the ultimate goal of developing proposed processes and policies to expand youth apprenticeships and workforce development across the state.” You can view the order here. 
 
The Senate Executive Committee held hearings on several of Governor Meyer’s cabinet nominations this week and more are scheduled for next week. Also, Senate Bill 46 was heard in the Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee. It was released from Committee and has been placed on the Senate Ready List. The proposal would require a human observer to be physically present in all autonomous vehicles that require a Class A commercial driver license without an O restriction—meaning tractor-trailers or trucks transporting large loads. The State Chamber testified in opposition stating:
 
“Autonomous Vehicles (AV’s) could help augment the workforce and solve supply chain issues and workforce shortages. According to the American Trucking Association, there’s a nationwide shortage of nearly 80,000 truck drivers and that’s set to double by 2031. Delaware needs truck drivers and AVs. Delaware should be supporting AV operations and reducing barriers to the deployment of AV’s. No other state requires a human observer to be present in the vehicle. If passed, this will make Delaware an outlier and could forestall AV investment, development, and operations in the state.”
 
The General Assembly returns to session on Tuesday and will then go on Joint Finance Commtitee break through March 6th. 

By Tyler Micik

​The 153rd General Assembly gaveled into session on Tuesday, signaling the start of a new legislative year. This week was mostly ceremonial – legislators were sworn into office, and they took care of some housekeeping items. In the Delaware House of Representatives, six freshman legislators were sworn into office: 

• Claire Snyder-Hall (D) – Representative District 14
• Frank Burns (D) – Representative District 21
• Josue Ortega (D) – Representative District 3
• Kamela Smith (D) - Representative District 15
• Mara Gorman (D) – Representative District 23
• Melanie Ross Levin (D) – Representative District 10

Additionally, the House confirmed new leadership. Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown was sworn in as Speaker of the House, making her Delaware’s first Black Speaker. Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris and Rep. Ed Osienski moved up in their roles as Majority Leader and Majority Whip, respectively. Rep. Tim Dukes stepped into the Minority Leader role and Rep. Jeff Spiegelman became Minority Whip. 

Business should return to normal next week. The General Assembly will be in session through January 30, at which point they’ll go on Joint Finance Committee (JFC) break and return on March 11. This year, we expect to see some bills reintroduced that did not make it through the legislative process last year, like paid sick and safety leave, in addition to newer ones like a potential increase in the minimum wage, among others.

Governor-elect Matt Meyer will be sworn into office next week on Tuesday, January 21. Please note the location for his swearing in ceremony has been moved from Legislative Mall to the William B. DeLauder Education and Humanities Theatre at Delaware State University due to the frigid weather forecast. You can find out more and register here.