Delaware State Senate

General Information
Party control: |  Democrat
Session start: |  January 9, 2024
Session end: |  June 30, 2024
Term length: |  2-4-4 year system
Term limits: |  None
Redistricting: | Legislature-dominant
Salary: |  $45,291/year
Members
Total: | 21
Democrats: | 15
Republicans: | 6
Other: | 0
Vacancies: | 0
Leadership
President: |  Bethany Hall-Long (D)
Maj. Leader: |  Bryan Townsend (D)
Min. Leader: |  Gerald Hocker (R)
Elections
Last election: | November 8, 2022
Next election: | November 5, 2024

The Delaware State Senate is the upper chamber of the Delaware State Legislature. Alongside the Delaware House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Delaware state government and works alongside the governor of Delaware to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Delaware State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Delaware State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Dover, Delaware.

* A total of 10 of 21 state Senate seats are up for election in 2024.

* All 21 seats in the Delaware State Senate were up for election in 2022. The chamber's Democratic majority increased from 14-7 to 15-6.
* Delaware has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Delaware State Senate.

* Which party controls the chamber
* The chamber's current membership
* Partisan control of the chamber over time
* Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
* A district map
* How redistricting works in the state
* Legislation currently under consideration
* Legislative session dates
* Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
* A list of committees

## Contents

* 1 Party control
* 1.1 Current partisan control
* 2 Members
* 2.1 Leadership
* 2.2 Leadership and members
* 2.3 Salaries
* 2.4 Swearing in dates
* 2.5 Membership qualifications
* 3 Historical party control
* 3.1 Before 1992
* 3.2 Trifecta history
* 4 Elections
* 4.1 Elections by year
* 4.2 2026
* 4.3 2024
* 4.4 2022
* 4.5 2020
* 4.6 2018
* 4.7 2017
* 4.8 2016
* 4.9 2014
* 4.10 2012
* 4.11 2010
* 4.12 2008
* 4.13 2006
* 4.14 2004
* 4.15 2002
* 4.16 2000
* 4.17 Vacancies
* 5 District map
* 6 Redistricting
* 6.1 2020
* 6.1.1 District map before and after 2020 redistricting
* 6.2 2010
* 7 Sessions
* 7.1 Legislation
* 7.2 Dates of legislative sessions in Delaware by year
* 7.3 2024
* 7.4 2023
* 7.5 2022
* 7.6 2021
* 7.7 2020
* 7.7.1 Effect of coronavirus pandemic
* 7.8 2019
* 7.9 2018
* 7.10 2017
* 7.11 2016
* 7.12 2015
* 7.12.1 Major issues in 2015
* 7.13 2014
* 7.13.1 Major issues in 2014
* 7.14 2013
* 7.14.1 Major issues in 2013
* 7.15 2012
* 7.15.1 Major issues
* 7.16 2011
* 7.16.1 Session highlights
* 7.16.1.1 State employee benefit cuts
* 7.17 2010
* 7.18 About legislative sessions in Delaware
* 8 Legislative roles and procedures
* 8.1 Veto overrides
* 8.2 Role in state budget
* 9 Committees
* 10 Constitutional amendments
* 10.1 Legislature
* 10.2 Convention
* 11 See also
* 12 External links
* 13 Footnotes

## Party control[edit]

### Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Delaware State Senate as of September 2024:

Party  | As of September 2024

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| Democratic Party | 15
| Republican Party | 6
| Other  | 0
| Vacancies  | 0
Total |  21

## Members[edit]

### Leadership[edit]

The lieutenant governor is the presiding officer of the Senate, while the president pro tempore is charged with overseeing the operations of the Senate, including appointing committees and assigning legislation to committees.[1]

### Leadership and members[edit]

* Senate president: Bethany Hall-Long (D)
* Senate president pro tempore: David Sokola (D)
* Majority leader: Bryan Townsend (D)
* Minority leader: Gerald Hocker (R)

Office | Name | Party | Date assumed office

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Delaware State Senate District 1 | Sarah McBride | Democratic  | November 4, 2020
Delaware State Senate District 2 | Darius Brown | Democratic  | November 7, 2018
Delaware State Senate District 3 | S. Elizabeth Lockman | Democratic  | November 7, 2018
Delaware State Senate District 4 | Laura Sturgeon | Democratic  | November 7, 2018
Delaware State Senate District 5 | Kyle Evans Gay | Democratic  | November 4, 2020
Delaware State Senate District 6 | Russ Huxtable | Democratic  | November 9, 2022
Delaware State Senate District 7 | Spiros Mantzavinos | Democratic  | November 4, 2020
Delaware State Senate District 8 | David Sokola | Democratic  | November 7, 1990
Delaware State Senate District 9 | Jack Walsh | Democratic  | November 9, 2016
Delaware State Senate District 10 | Stephanie Hansen | Democratic  | 2017
Delaware State Senate District 11 | Bryan Townsend | Democratic  | November 7, 2012
Delaware State Senate District 12 | Nicole Poore | Democratic  | November 7, 2012
Delaware State Senate District 13 | Marie Pinkney | Democratic  | November 4, 2020
Delaware State Senate District 14 | Kyra Hoffner | Democratic  | November 9, 2022
Delaware State Senate District 15 | David G. Lawson | Republican  | November 3, 2010
Delaware State Senate District 16 | Eric Buckson | Republican  | November 9, 2022
Delaware State Senate District 17 | Trey Charles Paradee | Democratic  | November 7, 2018
Delaware State Senate District 18 | David Wilson | Republican  | November 7, 2018
Delaware State Senate District 19 | Brian Pettyjohn | Republican  | November 7, 2012
Delaware State Senate District 20 | Gerald Hocker | Republican  | November 7, 2012
Delaware State Senate District 21 | Bryant Richardson | Republican  | November 5, 2014

### Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[2]

Salary| Per diem
$50,678/year| No per diem is paid.

### Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Delaware legislators assume office ​the first Wednesday after the first Monday in November (the day after election day).[3]

### Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article II, Section 3 of the Delaware Constitution states: "No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained the age of twenty-seven years and have been a citizen and inhabitant of the State three years next preceding the day of his or her election and the last year of that term an inhabitant of the Senatorial District in which he or she shall be chosen, unless he or she shall have been absent on the public business of the United States or of this State."[4]

## Historical party control[edit]

Democrats won control of the Delaware State Senate in 1974. In 2022, they won a 15-6 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Delaware Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Delaware State Senate election results: 1992-2022

Year  | '92  | '94  | '96  | '98  | '00  | '02  | '04  | '06  | '08  | '10  | '12  | '14  | '16  | '18  | '20  | '22

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Democrats | 15 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15
Republicans | 6 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6

### Before 1992[edit]

From the 1920s through the 1950s, the Delaware Senate was competitive and it often switched partisan control. Starting in 1954, Democrats gained a majority in the chamber and did not lose it until the chamber split 9-9 between the parties in 1966. Republicans won control in the next three elections before losing to the Democrats in 1974. In the years following 1974, Democrats usually held more than 13 seats, the margin needed for a three-fifths majority capable of overriding gubernatorial vetoes.

### Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Delaware was under the following types of trifecta control:

* Democratic trifecta: 2009-2023
* Republican trifecta: None
* Divided government: 1992-2008

Delaware Party Control: 1992-2024
Sixteen years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year  | 92  | 93  | 94  | 95  | 96  | 97  | 98  | 99  | 00  | 01  | 02  | 03  | 04  | 05  | 06  | 07  | 08  | 09  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 13  | 14  | 15  | 16  | 17  | 18  | 19  | 20  | 21  | 22  | 23  | 24

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Governor | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D
Senate | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D
House | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D

## Elections[edit]

### Elections by year[edit]

Delaware state senators serve 2-4-4 terms, where senators serve one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. Delaware holds elections for its legislature in even years.

### 2026[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Delaware State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

### 2024[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Delaware State Senate will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. The primary was September 10, 2024. The filing deadline was July 9, 2024.

### 2022[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Delaware State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for September 13, 2022. The filing deadline was July 12, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Delaware State Senate from 14-7 to 15-6.

Delaware State Senate

Party  | As of November 8, 2022  | After November 9, 2022
| Democratic Party | 14 | 15
| Republican Party | 7  | 6
Total |  21 |  21

### 2020[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for September 15, 2020. The filing deadline was July 14, 2020. Heading into the 2020 general election, there were 12 Democrats and nine Republicans in the chamber. Democrats increased their majority to 14 Democrats and seven Republicans in the election.

Delaware State Senate

Party  | As of November 3, 2020  | After November 4, 2020
| Democratic Party | 12 | 14
| Republican Party | 9  | 7
Total |  21 |  21

### 2018[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Delaware State Senate took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on September 6, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The major party candidate filing deadline was July 10, 2018.[5]

In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Delaware State Senate from 11-10 to 12-9.

Delaware State Senate

Party  | As of November 6, 2018  | After November 7, 2018
| Democratic Party | 11 | 12
| Republican Party | 10  | 9
Total |  21 |  21

### 2017[edit]

See also: Delaware state legislative special elections, 2017

Partisan control of the Delaware State Senate was on the line in the February 25, 2017, special election, as Democrats and Republicans battled to establish a one-member majority in the chamber. In the November 2016 general election, Democrats’ 12-to-nine majority in the Senate shrunk to 11 to 10, as Republican Anthony Delcollo defeated Democratic Senate President Patricia Blevins in District 7, 50.5 to 49.5 percent. The partisan balance then became deadlocked at 10 to 10 after Democratic Sen. Bethany Hall-Long vacated her District 10 seat to become Delaware’s lieutenant governor. In the Delaware Senate, the lieutenant governor has the power of casting tie-breaking votes, giving Democrats a narrow majority in the interim between Hall-Long’s resignation and the swearing-in of her successor. Democrat Stephanie Hansen's victory in the special election allowed Democrats to regain an 11 to 10 majority in the Senate and to defend their trifecta in the state.

Partisan control of Delaware State Senate

Party  | Before the vacancy  | Leading up to the election  | After the election*
Democratic Party | 11 | 10 | 11
Republican Party | 10 | 10 | 10
Vacancy | 0 | 1 | 0

*Note: The After the election column reflects the partisan balance of the chamber based on the special election's results.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Delaware State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was July 12, 2016.

A total of 11 seats out of the 21 seats in the Delaware State Senate were up for election in 2016. Republicans gained one seat in the chamber after the November 2016 election. Democrats lost an additional seat when state Sen. Bethany Hall-Long (D) won election in the lieutenant governor's race, leaving the chamber split 10 to 10. A special election to fill the vacancy left by Hall-Long took place on February 25, 2017. The race for Hall-Long's District 10 seat in 2014 was competitive, with a 2.2 percent margin of victory. Read more about the special election on February 25, 2017, here.

Delaware State Senate

Party  | As of November 7, 2016  | After November 8, 2016
| Democratic Party | 12 | 11[6]
| Republican Party | 9  | 10
| Vacancy  | 0  | 0
Total |  21 |  21
Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

### 2014[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the Delaware State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 8, 2014. Ten seats were up for election in 2014.

Heading into the election, Democrats held a 13-8 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 12-9 majority.

| Delaware State Senate

Party  | As of November 3, 2014  | After November 4, 2014
| Democratic Party | 13 | 12
| Republican Party | 8  | 9
Total |  21 |  21

### 2012[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2012

Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 11, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was July 10, 2012. A total of 21 seats were up for election. Although Delaware senators typically serve four-year terms, they are elected to a two-year term during the first election of the decade. Thus, rather than only half of all senators being up for election, all sitting members were on the ballot in November.

Heading into the election, Democrats held a 14-7 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 13-8 majority.

Delaware State Senate

Party  | As of November 5, 2012  | After the 2012 Election
| Democratic Party | 14 | 13
| Republican Party | 7  | 8
Total |  21 |  21

The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012.

2012 Margin of Victory, Delaware State Senate

District  | Winner  | Margin of Victory  | Total Votes  | Top Opponent
District 15 |  Dave Lawson | 2.9% | 18,875 | Kathleen Cooke
District 4 |  Gregory Lavelle | 3.3% | 23,568 | Michael Katz
District 5 |  Catherine Cloutier | 12.4% | 22,974 | Christopher Counihan
District 21 |  Robert Venables | 12.9% | 16,031 | Bryant Richardson
District 6 |  Ernesto Lopez | 13.4% | 24,241 | Andrew Staton
District 19 |  Brian Pettyjohn | 19.6% | 16,422 | Jane Hovington
District 8 |  David Sokola | 21.4% | 16,634 | William Stritzinger
District 12 |  Nicole Poore | 22% | 21,355 | Dorinda Connor
District 14 |  Bruce Ennis | 22.2% | 19,683 | Scott Unruh
District 20 |  Gerald Hocker | 35.9% | 21,026 | Richard Eakle

### 2010[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2010

Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The primary nomination process for candidates wishing to run in these elections was to gain the party's nomination at state conventions held by the state's two major political parties in May. Candidates wishing to run as independents could submit nominating signatures up through July 30. The candidate filing deadline was June 11, 2010. Senate seats in ten of Delaware's 21 districts were up for election in 2010. Races were held in Districts 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19 and 20.

Heading into the election, Democrats held a 15-6 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 14-7 majority.

Delaware State Senate

Party  | As of November 1, 2010  | After the 2010 Election
| Democratic Party | 15 | 14
| Republican Party | 6  | 7
Total |  21 |  21

In 2010, the total amount of contributions raised in senate campaigns was $643,813. The top 10 overall contributors were:[7]

2010 Donors, Delaware State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Bodenweisser, Eric R  | $26,000
Friends to Elect Joe Booth State Representative  | $23,832
Moritz, John A  | $23,295
Bunting Jr., George H  | $11,500
Booth, Joseph W  | $10,000
Cullis, Fred  | $6,800
Delaware Racing Association  | $6,600
Delaware Association of Realtors | $5,450
Delaware Trial Lawyers Association  | $4,800
Astrazeneca  | $4,600

### 2008[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2008

Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 9, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008.

During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,296,843. The top 10 contributors were:[8]

2008 Donors, Delaware State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Downes, Gary  | $20,000
Bonini, Colin J  | $19,800
Delaware Republican Party  | $17,000
Abbott, Richard L  | $16,640
Mackenzie, John  | $11,507
Clatworthy, John D  | $11,309
Delaware Democratic Party  | $10,110
Cmte to Re-elect David Mcbride  | $8,594
Carpenters & Joiners Local 626  | $6,000
Stafford, Harold E  | $5,675

### 2006[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2006

Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 12, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006.

During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,144,623. The top 10 contributors were:[9]

2006 Donors, Delaware State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Feroce, John  | $
Delaware Republican Party  | $
Potter Jr, Charles  | $
Allsopp, Barbara J  | $
Delaware Education Association  | $
Delaware Association of Realtors  | $
Delaware Chiropractic Society  | $
Delaware Automobile & Truck Dealers Association  | $
Artesian Water  | $
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 74  | $

### 2004[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2004

Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 11, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004.

During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $963,920. The top 10 contributors were:[10]

2004 Donors, Delaware State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Savage, F Thomas  | $30,767
Delaware Racing Association  | $10,650
Delaware Republican Party  | $9,000
Optometry Eye PAC  | $6,200
Testerman, James B  | $5,665
Altria  | $5,400
Delaware Chiropractic Society  | $5,275
Delaware Automobile & Truck Dealers Association  | $5,100
Delaware Democratic Party  | $5,000
Delaware Association of Realtors  | $4,250

### 2002[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2002

Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 7, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002.

During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $1,485,767. The top 10 contributors were:[11]

2002 Donors, Delaware State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Copeland, Charles L (Charlie)  | $43,200
Burton Sr, John S  | $32,000
New Castle County Democratic Cmte  | $16,000
Schaeffer, Mark & Ruby  | $13,100
Mbna Corp  | $10,500
Schaeffer, Mark G & Ruby K  | $10,000
Delaware Association of Realtors  | $9,395
First State Manufactured Housing Association  | $9,025
Davis, Paul  | $8,876
Delaware Racing Association  | $8,400

### 2000[edit]

See also: Delaware State Senate elections, 2000

Elections for the office of Delaware State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 9, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000.

During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $908,155. The top 10 contributors were:[12]

2000 Donors, Delaware State Senate

Donor  | Amount
Welsh, Paul  | $100,000
Delaware Democratic Party  | $30,000
Hocker, Gerald  | $25,400
Mcginchey, William V  | $22,631
Delaware Republican Party  | $13,386
Delaware Trial Lawyers Association  | $6,000
Nonpartisan Citizens for Business Expansion  | $5,660
Medical Society of Delaware  | $5,200
Wilmington Police & Fire Pension Task Force  | $5,200
Delaware State Dental Society  | $5,100

### Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Delaware General Assembly, the presiding officer of the house in which the vacancy happens must call for a special election within 10 days of the creation of the vacancy. The election must be called for no less than 30 days but no more than 35 days after the writ for the special election has been issued. The governor may issue a writ if the legislature is not in session.[13]

See sources: Delaware Code Ann. tit. 15, § 7101

## District map[edit]

See also: Delaware state legislative districts

The state of Delaware has 21 Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

## Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Delaware

Because Delaware has only one congressional district, congressional redistricting is not necessary. The state legislature draws state legislative district lines. The governor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.[14][15]

State law requires that state legislative districts be "insofar as possible, contiguous and bounded by roads, streams and other natural boundaries." Further, state law stipulates that district lines "may not be drawn to unduly favor any person or political party." Because these requirements are statutory, the legislature may amend them at its discretion.[14][15]

### 2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Delaware after the 2020 census

On November 2, 2021, Gov. John Carney (D) signed Senate Bill 199 into law, enacting the state's new House and Senate district lines.[16] The Delaware General Assembly previously approved the final House and Senate map proposals on November 1, 2021.[17] The Delaware House of Representatives voted 40-1 in favor of the maps with state Rep. Michael Smith (R) voting against it. The Delaware State Senate approved the maps along party lines with all 14 Democrats in favor and all seven Republicans against.[17] These maps took effect for Delaware's 2022 legislative elections.

#### District map before and after 2020 redistricting[edit]

Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

### Delaware State Senate Districts
until November 8, 2022

Click a district to compare boundaries.

### Delaware State Senate Districts
starting November 9, 2022

Click a district to compare boundaries.

### 2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Delaware after the 2010 census

Delaware received its 2010 census data on March 1, 2011. The state population increased by over 115,000 (nearly 15%) from 2000-2010, growing to over 900,000 residents.[18] According to the Delaware Population Consortium, there was a large shift to the southern part of the state, with Sussex County growing by 25% while New Castle County experienced 7% growth.[19]

On May 17, 2011, the minority caucus of Republicans in the House released their proposal for the state's 41 districts. On May 19, House Democrats released their proposed redistricting map. A public hearing was held on May 26 at 7 p.m.[20] The House passed its redistricting map on June 28, 2011, on a party-line vote.[21] The Senate map was approved on June 30, 2011, by a 15-6 vote. Two districts were merged in the northern part of the state in order to make room for a new southern district.[22][23]

## Sessions[edit]

### Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Delaware State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

### Dates of legislative sessions in Delaware by year[edit]

### 2024[edit]

See also: 2024 Delaware legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on June 30, 2024.

### 2023[edit]

See also: 2023 Delaware legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on June 30, 2023.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

### 2022[edit]

See also: 2022 Delaware legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions

In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on June 30, 2022.

### 2021[edit]

See also: 2021 Delaware legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on June 30, 2021.

### 2020[edit]

See also: 2020 Delaware legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on June 30, 2020.

#### Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
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Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Delaware State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 18, 2020, through May 26, 2020. The suspension was initially scheduled to last through March 24, 2020. The legislature adjourned on June 30, 2020.[24][25][26]

### 2019[edit]

See also: 2019 Delaware legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through June 30, 2019.

### 2018[edit]

See also: 2018 Delaware legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through June 30, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.

### 2017[edit]

See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions and Potential government shutdowns

In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through June 30, 2017. The legislature held a special session on July 2.

* On the morning of July 3, 2017, Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) signed into law a budget passed by the Legislature on July 2, 2017. The state began the 2018 fiscal year without an annual budget in place and was one of six states Ballotpedia tracked in 2017 that were on the verge of a partial government shutdown or the implementation of spending cuts to nonessential government services. The Legislature passed a temporary funding package on July 1, 2017, in order to avoid a partial government shutdown. Delaware’s budget debate throughout the 2017 regular session centered largely on Democratic proposals to raise the personal income tax rate and Republican proposals to alter the state’s prevailing wage laws—neither of which ultimately made it into the final budget. Lawmakers agreed to a series of tax increases on real estate sales, alcohol, and cigarettes in order to address a projected $390 million shortfall.[27][28]

### 2016[edit]

See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through July 1.

### 2015[edit]

See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through June 30.

#### Major issues in 2015[edit]

Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included the annual budget, adding e-cigarettes to the Clean Indoor Air Act, and gun control.[29]

### 2014[edit]

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through July 1.

#### Major issues in 2014[edit]

Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included raising the minimum wage, gun control, the 2015 budget, campaign finance, and the economy.[30]

### 2013[edit]

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to July 1.

#### Major issues in 2013[edit]

Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included gun control, gay marriage, and budgetary problems.[31]

### 2012[edit]

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 10 through June 30.

#### Major issues[edit]

Legislators focused more on economic rather than social issues this session, including reforms to Medicaid and addressing the budget deficit.[32]

### 2011[edit]

See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions

In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 11 through June 30.

#### Session highlights[edit]

##### State employee benefit cuts[edit]

Governor Jack Markell's (D) plan to cut public employee pension and health benefits received overwhelming support from officials within his administration, legislators and even public employee union officials. Markell's proposal, which became law on May 2, 2011, requires new state employees to pay 5% of their salary after the first $6,000 towards their pension, rather than 3%. It also eliminates the use of overtime when calculating pensions and the "double state share" health care benefit. According to the governor's office, the plan would save Delaware taxpayers $130 million over the next five years and $480 million over the next fifteen.[33][34]

### 2010[edit]

See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions

In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 12th to June 30th.

### About legislative sessions in Delaware[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[35] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article II of the Delaware Constitution establishes when the Delaware General Assembly, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 4 of Article II states that the General Assembly is to convene on the second Tuesday of January of each calendar year, and it is not to extend beyond 5:00 p.m. on the last day of June.[36]

Section 4 also allows the General Assembly to be convened into special session by the Governor of Delaware or by the mutual call of the presiding officers of both Houses.

## Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

### Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Delaware are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Three-fifths of members in both chambers.

Three-fifths of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 25 of the 41 members in the Delaware House of Representatives and 13 of the 21 members in the Delaware State Senate. Delaware is one of seven states that requires a three-fifths vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

Vetoes can be overridden when the next regular session convenes.[37]

Authority: Article III, Section 18 of the Delaware Constitution.

"Every bill which shall have passed both Houses of the General Assembly shall, before it becomes law, be presented to the Governor; if he or she approves, he or she shall sign it; but if he or she shall not approve, he or she shall return it with his or her objections to the House in which it shall have originated, which House shall enter the objections at large on the journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, three-fifths of all the members elected to that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent together with the objections to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by three-fifths of all the members elected to that House, it shall become a law; but in neither House shall the vote be taken on the day on which the bill shall be returned to it."

### Role in state budget[edit]

See also: Delaware state budget and finances
Delaware on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

* * *

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[38]

1. In July, the governor sends budget instructions to state agencies.
2. In October, agencies submit their budget requests to the governor.
3. Budget hearings are held with the public in November.
4. On or before February 1, the governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature.
5. The legislature must pass a budget with a simple majority by June 30. The fiscal year begins on July 1.

The governor is statutorily required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. In turn, the legislature must pass a balanced budget, and any budget signed into law by the governor must be balanced.[38]

Delaware is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[38][39]

Delaware maintains two major governmental funds: the General Fund and the Special Fund. Within the Special Fund, there are four category types: Appropriated Special Funds (ASF), Non-appropriated Special Funds (NSF), Federal Funds, and Bond Funds.[40]

## Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in Delaware state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

* Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
* Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
* Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Delaware State Senate has t 16 standing committees:

* Banking, Business, and Insurance Committee
* Capital Improvement Committee
* Corrections and Public Safety Committee
* Elections & Government Affairs Committee
* Environment & Energy Committee
* Executive Committee
* Finance Committee
* Health & Social Services Committee
* Housing Committee
* Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee
* Rules and Ethics Committee
* Senate Agriculture Committee
* Senate Education Committee
* Senate Labor Committee
* Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
* Transportation Committee

## Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Delaware Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XVI of the Delaware Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Delaware

Article XVI of the Delaware Constitution defines two mechanisms by which the Delaware Constitution can be amended—a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Delaware does not feature the power of citizen initiative for either initiated constitutional amendments or initiated state statutes.

#### Legislature[edit]

The Delaware General Assembly can amend the constitution. Unlike in any other state, the state legislature can amend the constitution without a vote of the people. For the legislature to amend the constitution:

* Two-thirds of all the members elected to each chamber can vote in favor of a proposed amendment.
* The Delaware Secretary of State then must publish the proposed amendment(s) three months prior to the next general election in at least three newspapers in each county.
* The subsequent General Assembly then votes again on the proposed amendment(s) and if an amendment receives two-thirds majority approval of all members of each chamber, it becomes part of the constitution.

#### Convention[edit]

The state's constitution can also be amended through a constitutional convention.

* By a two-thirds vote of both chambers of the state legislature, the question, "Shall there be a Convention to revise the Constitution and amend the same?" can go on a statewide ballot. If a simple majority of those voting on the question vote "yes," then there will be a convention.

2022 measures:

See also: 2022 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

2021 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2021 ballot by the legislature.

See also: 2021 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures were certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

## See also[edit]

Elections |  Delaware State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics

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|
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* Delaware State Senate elections, 2024
* Delaware State Senate elections, 2022
* Delaware State Senate elections, 2020
* Delaware State Senate elections, 2018

* Delaware State Legislature
* Delaware House of Representatives
* Governor of Delaware
* Delaware Supreme Court

* State legislative elections: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018

* State government trifectas
* State government triplexes
* State executives
* State courts
* Ballot measures
* The State Legislative Decade

## External links[edit]

* Delaware General Assembly

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Delaware General Assembly, "Glossary of Terms," accessed February 11. 2021
2. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
3. ↑ Delaware Constitution, "Article II, Section 3," accessed January 23, 2024
4. ↑ The Delaware Code Online, "Article II. Legislature - Section 3," accessed January 25, 2023
5. ↑ State Election Commissioner, "2018 Delaware Election Calendar," accessed October 23, 2017
6. ↑ In the November 2016 elections, Sen. Bethany Hall-Long (D) won election for lieutenant governor of Delaware. She remained in office until shortly before being sworn in on January 17, 2017. The Delaware State Senate began its 2017 legislative session on January 10, 2017.
7. ↑ Follow the Money: "Delaware Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"
8. ↑ Follow the Money, "Delaware 2008 Candidates," accessed July 8, 2013
9. ↑ Follow the Money, "Delaware 2006 Candidates," accessed July 8, 2013
10. ↑ Follow the Money, "Delaware 2004 Candidates," accessed July 8, 2013
11. ↑ Follow the Money, "Delaware 2002 Candidates," accessed July 8, 2013
12. ↑ Follow the Money, "Delaware 2000 Candidates," accessed July 8, 2013
13. ↑ Delaware Legislature, "Delaware Election Code," accessed May 22, 2014 (Statutes § 7101 and § 7104, Delaware Code)
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 All About Redistricting, "Delaware," accessed April 22, 2015
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Delaware Code, "Title 29, Chapter 8," accessed April 22, 2015
16. ↑ Delaware General Assembly, "Senate Bill 199," accessed Nov. 15, 2021
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 WGMD, "Redistricting Legislation Passes in Delaware – Waiting for Governor’s Signature," Nov. 1, 2021
18. ↑ Delaware Online, "Delaware grows 15 percent, tops 900,000," December 22, 2010
19. ↑ Sussex Countian, "Redistricting looms in 2011 General Assembly session," January 12, 2011
20. ↑ Newsworks, "House Democrats release Delaware redistricting plan," May 19, 2011
21. ↑ Dover Post, "UPDATE: House passes redistricting legislation, Senate vote up next," June 29, 2011
22. ↑ The Republic, "Delaware lawmakers approve legislative redistricting plan for state House, Senate," June 30, 2011
23. ↑ Delaware Online, "General Assembly's pace picks up in late-night flurry," July 1, 2011
24. ↑ WHYY, "Delaware Gov. Carney declares state of emergency, puts National Guard on alert," March 12, 2020
25. ↑ Delaware General Assembly, "Home," accessed March 20, 2020
26. ↑ Delaware General Assembly, "Home," accessed May 26, 2020
27. ↑ Delaware State News, "It’s official: Carney signs $4.11 billion budget," July 3, 2017
28. ↑ Delaware State News, "Legislature compromises, passes budget," July 3, 2017
29. ↑ WDEL, "Delaware's finances likely to be a major focus at Leg Hall in 2015," January 23, 2015
30. ↑ delaware.newszap.com, "Delaware lawmakers to revisit guns, minimum wage," accessed January 15, 2014
31. ↑ Beaumont Enterprise, "Budget, guns among issues facing Del. lawmakers," January 8, 2013
32. ↑ Delaware First Media, "Legislators begin to form 2012 agenda," January 8, 2012
33. ↑ Office of the Governor of Delaware, "Markell Thanks Legislature for Overwhelming Votes of Support for Employee Pension and Healthcare Reform – Changes Will Save Taxpayers over $480M over 15 years," April 14, 2011
34. ↑ Stateline, "States overhaul pensions but pass on 401(k)-style plans," June 21, 2011
35. ↑ Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed May 20, 2017
36. ↑ The Delaware Code Online, "Article Ii. Legislature - § 4. Time and frequency of sessions," accessed September 18, 2023
37. ↑ Delaware State News, "Delaware legislators to attempt override of opt-out veto," January 13, 2016
38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
39. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
40. ↑ State of Delaware Office of Management and Budget, "Budget and Accounting Policy Manual: Chapter 3 - Delaware's Accounting Framework," accessed January 14, 2021

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