HB 431 Delaware House · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026)

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO COMPOSTING.

Summary

This Act allows for the composting of yard waste, food residuals, and other organic materials on property zoned for agricultural purposes. County governments may limit the square footage allowed for this activity, but must allow for at least 5000 square feet per 4 acres of property.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2026

Committee Review

Jun 2026

House Passage

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

Signed into Law

Jul 2026

Introduced May 20, 2026 Signed Jul 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HA 1 to HB 431 → Bill Text · 4 edits

MODERATE

The final bill text broadens where commercial composting is permitted by removing restrictions that limited it to private properties specifically zoned Agricultural Conservation outside the growth zone with a minimum of 4 acres, replacing them with the simpler requirement of any property zoned for agricultural purposes. It also changes the minimum square footage allowance from a flat 5,000 square feet to a proportional standard of 5,000 square feet per 4 acres, which benefits larger properties.

SCOPE

Composting is now allowed on any property zoned for agricultural purposes, rather than only private properties specifically zoned Agricultural Conservation that are outside the growth zone and at least 4 acres in size. This removes four separate restrictions (private ownership, specific zoning category, growth zone exclusion, minimum acreage).

REQUIREMENT

The minimum square footage a county must allow changed from a flat 5,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet per 4 acres of property. Larger properties can now accommodate proportionally more composting activity.

TECHNICAL

Changed from singular 'A county government' to plural 'County governments' in subsection (b).

Added Sen. Hoffner and Rep. K. Johnson as co-sponsors.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 30, 2026 · House Jun 24, 2026

How they voted

21–0

Passed

Total votes 21

Jun 30, 2026

D Democratic15

15 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican6

6 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jul 23, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by Governor

executive

Jun 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

upper

Jun 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee (Executive) in Senate with 6 On Its Merits

upper

Jun 24, 2026

Introduced

Assigned to Executive Committee in Senate

upper

Jun 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed By House. Votes: 30 YES 10 NO 1 ABSENT

lower

Jun 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amendment HA 1 to HB 431 - Passed In House by Voice Vote

lower

Jun 24, 2026

Introduced

Amendment HA 1 to HB 431 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

lower

Jun 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee (Agriculture) in House with 9 On Its Merits

lower

May 20, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Assigned to Agriculture Committee in House

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors