Delaware 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 8 D · 5 R cosponsors

SB 49 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 20 AND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DRIVING RESTRICTIONS DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

Last action — Signed by Governor

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 23, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Matt Meyer (Democratic) on May 22, 2025.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 98% · high confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 15 sponsors

    15 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (8 D · 5 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

In a state of emergency, getting information to the public as quickly as possible is vital to the safety of the community. This Act provides protections to those who provide these essential communication and broadcasting services by deeming them "first informers." Under this Act, first informers are exempt from driving restrictions that the Governor may impose during a state of emergency. This Act also reorganizes provisions of Chapter 31 of Title 20 for clarity and makes additional technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

81 added · 8 removed

Plain-language change summary

The bill SB 49 includes definitions for "essential personnel" and "first informer," specifying who is deemed necessary during a state of emergency. Additionally, it grants the Governor the power to restrict motor vehicle use during such emergencies. The amendment corrects an accidental deletion of the phrase "is a" in the text of the bill. This ensures the clarity and accuracy of the legal language in the context of driving restrictions during emergency situations.

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Latest
Rep.
Sen.
Jones Giltner HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE AMENDMENT NO.
Pettyjohn & Rep.
1 TO SENATE BILL NO.
Jones Giltner Sens.
49 AMEND Senate Bill No.
Buckson, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lockman, Mantzavinos, Paradee, Richardson, Seigfried, Wilson;
49 on line 58 by deleting “is a” and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
Reps.
“is a”.
Collins, Hilovsky DELAWARE STATE SENATE 153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE BILL NO.
SYNOPSIS This Amendment to Senate Bill No.
49 AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 20 AND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DRIVING RESTRICTIONS DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.
49 corrects the accidental strike through of "is a" on line 58.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1.
Amend § 3102, Title 20 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows and redesignating accordingly:
§ 3102.
Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(6) “Essential personnel” means those personnel who are necessary to maintain the core functions of a government body or entity, and to maintain the health and safety of the people in Delaware by providing services provided by public utilities as defined in § 102(2) of Title 26, health-care services, emergency broadcasting services, and food and fuel deliveries during a state of emergency, regardless of whether they are employed by a public or private entity.
(7) “First informer” means a broadcast engineer or on-air employee of a radio or television station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission who is engaged in the process of broadcasting, or maintenance, operation, or repair of broadcast station equipment, transmitters, receivers, repeaters, or generators.
Section 2.
Amend § 3116, Title 20 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
§ 3116.
Powers.
(b) During an emergency or disaster, a state of emergency, the Governor may:
(12) Restrict the use or operation of motor vehicles on Delaware roads, including highways, express highways, roadways, and private roads as defined in § 101 of Title 21.
The levels of restriction of the use or operation of motor vehicles during a state of emergency are as follows:
a.
Level 3 Driving Ban:
A “Level 3 Driving Ban” shall mean means that no person shall operate a motor vehicle on Delaware roadways when a Level 3 Driving Ban has been activated, except for those persons designated as first responders responders, first informers, and essential personnel, including public utilities as DLS :
KES :
CM Page 1 of 3 Released:
01/23/2025 12:07 PM defined in § 102(2) of Title 26 and operators of snow removal equipment employed or contracted by a public or private entity, pursuant to this chapter and the plans set forth thereunder, and by executive order of the Governor.
All businesses, professional offices, organizations, entities, etc.
shall be encouraged to take appropriate protective actions to protect their citizens, customers, and employees by termination of operations or shelter in place.
An employer of a public or private entity shall not terminate, reprimand, discipline, or in any way commit any adverse employment action against an employee who, as a result of the activation of a Level 3 Driving Ban, fails or refuses to report to work during the pendency of the driving ban.
Any person or entity in violation of an activated Level 3 Driving Ban under this subsection shall be penalized pursuant to § 3125 of this title.
b.
Level 2 Driving Restriction:
A “Level 2 Driving Restriction” shall mean means that no person shall may operate a motor vehicle on Delaware roadways when a Level 2 Driving Restriction has been activated, except for persons designated as essential personnel including operators of snow removal equipment employed or contracted by a public or private entity.
“Essential personnel” for purposes of this subsection shall mean those employees and/or personnel who are necessary to maintain the core functions of a government body or entity, and to maintain the health and safety of the people in Delaware by providing services provided by public utilities as defined in § 102(2) of Title 26, health-care services, and food and fuel deliveries during a state of emergency, regardless of whether they are employed by a public or private entity.
A waiver from a Level 2 Driving Restriction may be granted when a significant safety, health or business necessity is shown for issuing such a waiver.
The Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this subsection.
An employer or entity which has not been granted a waiver shall may not terminate, reprimand, discipline, or in any way commit any adverse employment action against an employee who, as a result of the activation of the a Level 2 Driving Restriction, fails or refuses to report to work during the pendency of the driving restriction.
Any person or entity who violates an activated level 2 driving restriction under this subsection shall be in violation of § 4176D of Title 21.
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The Governor may issue (13) Issue separate levels of driving restrictions throughout the State based on the severity of conditions in any given area within the State;
and State.
(13) (14) Take such other actions as the Governor reasonably believes necessary to help maintain life, health, property property, or public peace.
(d) The Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of paragraph (b)(12).
CM Page 1 of 1 Released:
CM Page 2 of 3 Released:
05/08/2025 02:05 PM 0231530066
01/23/2025 12:07 PM Section 3.
Amend § 4176D, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
§ 4176D.
Operation of a motor vehicle during an emergency.
(a) No person shall may operate a motor vehicle on a highway, express highway, roadway or private road as defined in § 101 of this title when a Level 3 Driving Ban or a Level 2 Driving Restriction has been activated during an emergency, unless the person is a first responder, essential personnel, first responder, first informer, or essential personnel, as those terms are defined under § 3102 of Title 20, or a waiver has been granted, granted pursuant to under § 3116(b)(12) § 3116(b)(12)b.
of Title 20.
SYNOPSIS In a state of emergency, getting information to the public as quickly as possible is vital to the safety of the community.
This Act provides protections to those who provide these essential communication and broadcasting services by deeming them "first informers." Under this Act, first informers are exempt from driving restrictions that the Governor may impose during a state of emergency.
This Act also reorganizes provisions of Chapter 31 of Title 20 for clarity and makes additional technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
Author:
Senator Pettyjohn DLS :
KES :
CM Page 3 of 3 Released:
01/23/2025 12:07 PM 0231530024
View plain text versions (2)

Action History

  1. Signed by Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

  3. Passed By House. Votes: 33 YES 8 ABSENT

  4. Amendment HA 1 to SB 49 - Passed In House by Voice Vote

  5. Reported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 4 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits

  6. Assigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House

  7. Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

  8. Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

  9. Introduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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15 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 47 not signed on

Sponsors (15)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (47)

47 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 47 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

SM

Passed 21 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 15000
Republican 6000
Total 21000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (21)
Member Party Vote
Bryan Townsend Democratic Yea
Daniel Cruce Democratic Yea
Darius J. Brown Democratic Yea
David P. Sokola Democratic Yea
John "Jack" Walsh Democratic Yea
Kyra L. Hoffner Democratic Yea
Laura V. Sturgeon Democratic Yea
Marie Pinkney Democratic Yea
Nicole Poore Democratic Yea
Ray Seigfried Democratic Yea
Russell Huxtable Democratic Yea
S. Elizabeth Lockman Democratic Yea
Spiros Mantzavinos Democratic Yea
Stephanie L. Hansen Democratic Yea
Trey Paradee Democratic Yea
Brian Pettyjohn Republican Yea
Bryant L. Richardson Republican Yea
Dave G. Lawson Republican Yea
David L. Wilson Republican Yea
Eric Buckson Republican Yea
Gerald W. Hocker Republican Yea

Official roll call →

SM

Passed 33 Yea · 0 Nay · 8 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 20006
Republican 13001
Unaffiliated 0001
Total 33008
% of votes cast 80%0%0%20%
How each member voted (41)
Member Party Vote
Stell Parker Selby — Not Voting
Claire Snyder-Hall Democratic Yea
Cyndie Romer Democratic Yea
DeShanna U Neal Democratic Not Voting
Debra Heffernan Democratic Yea
Edward S. Osienski Democratic Yea
Eric Morrison Democratic Yea
Frank Burns Democratic Yea
Franklin D. Cooke Democratic Yea
Josue O Ortega Democratic Yea
Kamela T Smith Democratic Not Voting
Kendra Johnson Democratic Yea
Kerri Evelyn Harris Democratic Yea
Kimberly Williams Democratic Not Voting
Krista Griffith Democratic Not Voting
Larry Lambert Democratic Yea
Madinah Wilson-Anton Democratic Yea
Mara Gorman Democratic Yea
Melanie Ross Levin Democratic Yea
Melissa Minor-Brown Democratic Yea
Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha Democratic Not Voting
Sean M. Lynn Democratic Yea
Sherae'a Moore Democratic Not Voting
Sophie Phillips Democratic Yea
Stephanie T. Bolden Democratic Yea
William Bush Democratic Yea
William J. Carson Democratic Yea
Bryan W. Shupe Republican Yea
Charles S Postles Jr. Republican Yea
Daniel B. Short Republican Yea
Jeff Hilovsky Republican Yea
Jeffrey N. Spiegelman Republican Yea
Jesse R. Vanderwende Republican Yea
Kevin S Hensley Republican Not Voting
Lyndon D. Yearick Republican Yea
Michael F. Smith Republican Yea
Richard G. Collins Republican Yea
Ronald E. Gray Republican Yea
Shannon Morris Republican Yea
Timothy D. Dukes Republican Yea
Valerie Jones Giltner Republican Yea

Official roll call →

SM

Passed 21 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 15000
Republican 6000
Total 21000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (21)
Member Party Vote
Bryan Townsend Democratic Yea
Daniel Cruce Democratic Yea
Darius J. Brown Democratic Yea
David P. Sokola Democratic Yea
John "Jack" Walsh Democratic Yea
Kyra L. Hoffner Democratic Yea
Laura V. Sturgeon Democratic Yea
Marie Pinkney Democratic Yea
Nicole Poore Democratic Yea
Ray Seigfried Democratic Yea
Russell Huxtable Democratic Yea
S. Elizabeth Lockman Democratic Yea
Spiros Mantzavinos Democratic Yea
Stephanie L. Hansen Democratic Yea
Trey Paradee Democratic Yea
Brian Pettyjohn Republican Yea
Bryant L. Richardson Republican Yea
Dave G. Lawson Republican Yea
David L. Wilson Republican Yea
Eric Buckson Republican Yea
Gerald W. Hocker Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 49 do?
In a state of emergency, getting information to the public as quickly as possible is vital to the safety of the community. This Act provides protections to those who provide these essential communication and broadcasting services by deeming them "first informers." Under this Act, first informers are exempt from driving restrictions that the Governor may impose during a state of emergency. This Act also reorganizes provisions of Chapter 31 of Title 20 for clarity and makes additional technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
Who sponsors SB 49?
SB 49 is sponsored by Stell Parker Selby, Laura V. Sturgeon (Democratic), Richard G. Collins (Republican), David L. Wilson (Republican), Ray Seigfried (Democratic), Bryant L. Richardson (Republican), Trey Paradee (Democratic), Spiros Mantzavinos (Democratic), Josue O Ortega (Democratic), Russell Huxtable (Democratic), Claire Snyder-Hall (Democratic), Melanie Ross Levin, Franklin D. Cooke (Democratic), Valerie Jones Giltner (Republican), and Brian Pettyjohn (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 49?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 23, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 49?
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