AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY AND SAFETY ACT.
Do you support it?
Want to know if it passes?
We'll email you when SB 189 moves — a committee vote, a floor vote, or a signature. Nothing else.
Free forever · unsubscribe in one click.
Your answer was recorded either way.
Which district are you in?
Your ZIP is all we need to match you to your own representatives — so we can tell you how they voted on SB 189.
You're tracking SB 189
We'll email you the moment it moves.
SB 189 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY AND SAFETY ACT.
Last action — Signed by Governor
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
-
✓Introduced
-
✓In Committee
-
✓Passed Senate
-
✓Passed House
-
✓To Executive
-
6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 30, 2018. Enacted.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
-
Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
-
5 sponsors
2 primary, 3 co-sponsors signed on.
-
Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 D).
-
Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 2 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
The U.S. Department of Transportation has recently found Delaware to be non-compliant with enforcement of underground excavation violations. This jeopardizes federal funding for the Commissions pipeline safety program. Two principal reasons for this have been the lack of notification to State agencies and the lack of enforcement when damage is known. This bill updates Title 26, Chapter 8 by ensuring notification of excavation damage to the appropriate State agencies for potential penalties or other enforcement proceedings. It provides that either the Attorney General or the Public Service Commission may enforce penalties appropriate for the circumstances and gravity of the violation.
Bill Text
- Bill Text View text Current pdf
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
The bill amends Delaware law to enhance notification and enforcement provisions regarding underground utility and excavation safety.
-
Section 810
It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden, or fail to perform an act required by this chapter.Clarifies the unlawful acts and defines them as misdemeanors under the chapter.
-
Section 810
the degree of culpability, any history of prior violations, the effect on ability to continue to do business, any good faith in attempting to achieve compliance, ability to pay the fine and such other matters as justice may require.→ the degree of culpability, any history of prior violations, the effect on ability to continue to do business, any good faith in attempting to achieve compliance, ability to pay the fine, and an emphasis on evaluation of circumstances and gravity of the violations.Expands the factors considered when determining penalties for violations.
-
Section 807
Promptly notify the Public Service Commission and the Attorney General’s office within 15 days of any notice of facilities damage received by the notification center.→ Promptly notify the Public Service Commission and the Attorney General’s office within 15 days of any notice of facilities damage received by the notification center to facilitate enforcement actions.Enhances notification requirements to ensure timely enforcement actions can be taken regarding facilities damage.
-
Section 807
the approved notification center shall be Utilities Service Protection of Delmarva, Inc.Affirms the specific approved notification center responsible for utility line location information.
Action History
-
Signed by Governor
-
Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
-
Reported Out of Committee (Energy) in House with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
-
Assigned to Energy Committee in House
-
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
-
Amendment SA 1 to SB 189 - Stricken in Senate
-
Amendment SA 2 to SB 189 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
-
Amendment SA 1 to SB 189 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
-
Reported Out of Committee (Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy) in Senate with 3 On Its Merits
-
Introduced and Assigned to Environmental, Natural Resources & Energy Committee in Senate
Sponsors
- Trey Paradee · Primary
- David P. Sokola · Cosponsor
- Debra Heffernan · Cosponsor
- Gerald L. Brady · Cosponsor
- Harris B. McDowell · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →2 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 57 not signed on
Sponsors (2)
- Trey Paradee Democratic
- Harris B. McDowell
Co-sponsors (3)
- David P. Sokola Democratic
- Debra Heffernan Democratic
- Gerald L. Brady
Not signed on (57)
57 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 57 →"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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 24 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Democratic | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 40 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 2% |
How each member voted (41)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (21)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Delcollo | — | Yea |
| Brian J. Bushweller | — | Yea |
| Bruce C. Ennis | — | Yea |
| Catherine Cloutier | — | Yea |
| Colin Bonini | — | Yea |
| David B. McBride | — | Yea |
| Ernesto B Lopez | — | Yea |
| F. Gary Simpson | — | Yea |
| Gregory F. Lavelle | — | Yea |
| Harris B. McDowell | — | Yea |
| Margaret Rose Henry | — | Yea |
| Robert Marshall | — | Yea |
| Bryan Townsend | Democratic | Yea |
| David P. Sokola | Democratic | Yea |
| John "Jack" Walsh | Democratic | Yea |
| Nicole Poore | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephanie L. Hansen | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Pettyjohn | Republican | Yea |
| Bryant L. Richardson | Republican | Yea |
| Dave G. Lawson | Republican | Yea |
| Gerald W. Hocker | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 189 do?
- The U.S. Department of Transportation has recently found Delaware to be non-compliant with enforcement of underground excavation violations. This jeopardizes federal funding for the Commissions pipeline safety program. Two principal reasons for this have been the lack of notification to State agencies and the lack of enforcement when damage is known. This bill updates Title 26, Chapter 8 by ensuring notification of excavation damage to the appropriate State agencies for potential penalties or other enforcement proceedings. It provides that either the Attorney General or the Public Service Commission may enforce penalties appropriate for the circumstances and gravity of the violation.
- Who sponsors SB 189?
- SB 189 is sponsored by Trey Paradee (Democratic), David P. Sokola (Democratic), Debra Heffernan (Democratic), Gerald L. Brady, and Harris B. McDowell.
- What is the current status of SB 189?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced April 30, 2018. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 189?
- Track SB 189 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
Make your voice heard on SB 189
Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.
Stay ahead of SB 189
Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously
One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.
Track this bill →