HB 266 (Delaware Code Title 21 amendment) allows large Delaware municipalities to permit the rental of low-speed motorized scooters through local ordinances or regulations. This directly affects cities (like Wilmington or Newark) and scooter rental companies by giving local governments authority to establish rules for scooter operations. The key provision removes a barrier by enabling municipalities to create their own permitting systems for scooter rentals, rather than requiring state-level approval. The bill passed the House unanimously and is now before the Senate Environment Committee.
This Act makes it unlawful to possess, operate any motor vehicle with, purchase, install, manufacture, sell, offer to sell, or otherwise distribute a number plate flipping device. A “number plate flipping device” means a manual, electric, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle that does either of the following: a. Switch between two or more number plates for the purpose of allowing a motor vehicle operator to change the number plate displayed on the operator's vehicle; or b. Hide a number plate from view by turning the number plate so that the number plate registration number is not visible. The penalty for violation of this statute is for the first offense, a fine not less than $50 nor more than $200, imprisonment not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days, or both. For each subsequent like offense, such person shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $300, be imprisoned not less than 90 days nor more than 6 months, or both. The Act also makes technical changes to existing code language to conform to the Legislative Drafting Manual. A reference to farm vehicles being exempt from registration is removed, because that exemption was removed from the Code in 2014. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 28 of Article IV of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to create a new crime within the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, or Justice of the Peace Court.
HB 114 amends Delaware's traffic code to permit the limited use of low-speed motorized scooters on public roads and bike paths. It directly affects scooter riders by establishing new rules for operation, including speed limits and safety requirements. The bill explicitly bans high-speed scooters from being used on public roads, maintaining current restrictions. This change updates Title 21 of the Delaware Code to formally recognize low-speed scooters as legal vehicles under defined conditions.
SB 200 authorizes Delaware to issue general obligation bonds and revenue bonds for state capital projects during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It appropriates funds from the Transportation Trust Fund, Delaware Transportation Authority's special funds, and general state funds, while also allowing for the reallocation of existing state funds. The bill specifies how these funds can be spent, including for transportation infrastructure and other state capital improvements. This funding package directly affects Delaware state agencies and projects funded through these bond issuances and appropriations.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requires the Delaware Department of Transportation, the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Delaware Department of Justice, the Delaware State Police, and other law enforcement agencies to collaborate with state transportation departments, law enforcement agencies, and other interested stakeholders in neighboring states and across the region to develop a strategy to address the growing issue of counterfeit Delaware license plates, and protect Delaware drivers from the fraudulent use of their vehicle registrations. The Resolution also requires the Department of Transportation and the Division of Motor Vehicles to submit a final report to the General Assembly, the Governor, the Director and Librarian of the Division of Legislative Services, and the Delaware Public Archives, no later than June 30, 2026, detailing their actions, partnerships, findings, and any recommendations for legislation or resource needs to improve enforcement, data sharing, victim support, and other relevant matters.
This Act prohibits any autonomous vehicle that requires a Class A commercial driver license without an O restriction from being operated on a Delaware highway for testing purposes, transporting goods, or transporting passengers without a human safety operator being physically present within the autonomous vehicle. A two-thirds vote requirement is required under Section 28 of Article IV of the Delaware Constitution.
This Concurrent Resolution reestablishes the Port of Wilmington Expansion Task Force ("Task Force"). The Task Force was previously created by House Concurrent Resolution No. 38 in the 148th General Assembly and concluded that port expansion should be pursued by the State and the Diamond State Port Corporation. The General Assembly is reestablishing the Task Force to monitor the port expansion project, to report monthly to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives on the progress of the port expansion project, and to provide recommendations to the General Assembly that ensure the success of the planned port expansion and foster continued growth in Delaware's maritime economy.
