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
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 23, 2025. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Matt Meyer (Democratic) on May 22, 2025.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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15 sponsors
15 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (8 D · 5 R) — cross-party backing.
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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 removedPlain-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.
Rep.Sen.
JonesPettyjohn Giltner& HOUSERep. OF REPRESENTATIVES 153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE AMENDMENT NO.
1Jones TOGiltner SENATESens. BILL NO.
49Buckson, AMENDHansen, SenateHocker, BillHoffner, No.Huxtable, Lockman, Mantzavinos, Paradee, Richardson, Seigfried, Wilson;
49Reps. on line 58 by deleting “is a” and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
“isCollins, a”.Hilovsky DELAWARE STATE SENATE 153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE BILL NO.
SYNOPSIS49 ThisAN AmendmentACT toTO SenateAMEND BillTITLE No.20 AND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DRIVING RESTRICTIONS DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.
49BE correctsIT theENACTED accidentalBY strikeTHE throughGENERAL ofASSEMBLY "isOF a"THE onSTATE lineOF 58.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.
Show all 59 changed lines (19 more)
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).
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05/08/202501/23/2025 02:0512:07 PM 0231530066Section 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
Show all 59 changed rows (19 more)
Action History
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Signed by Governor
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Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
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Passed By House. Votes: 33 YES 8 ABSENT
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Amendment HA 1 to SB 49 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
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Reported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 4 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
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Assigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House
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Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
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Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
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Introduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate
Sponsors
- Stell Parker Selby · Primary
- Laura V. Sturgeon · Primary
- Richard G. Collins · Primary
- David L. Wilson · Primary
- Ray Seigfried · Primary
- Bryant L. Richardson · Primary
- Trey Paradee · Primary
- Spiros Mantzavinos · Primary
- Josue O Ortega · Primary
- Russell Huxtable · Primary
- Claire Snyder-Hall · Primary
- Melanie Ross Levin · Primary
- Franklin D. Cooke · Primary
- Valerie Jones Giltner · Primary
- Brian Pettyjohn · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →15 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 47 not signed on
Sponsors (15)
- 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
- Brian Pettyjohn Republican
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.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 20 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Republican | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Unaffiliated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 33 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| % 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % 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 |
Subjects
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?
- Track SB 49 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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