Legislative Update

​​​​

*****You can call your State Senator or Representative through the General Assembly main number at 302-744-4114 if you would like to advocate a position or make a comment regarding any legislation.*****

​​

The following bills have been introduced and assigned to committees. We will update their status as they move through the process.

​

Senate Bill 219 (ASSIGNED TO SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE) phases in, over 3 years, an increased exemption for military pensions from state income taxation, regardless of age, which is currently $12,500, so that in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2029, the exemption will be $25,000 for all military pensioners.

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142742

The primary sponsor is Senator Buckson (SD16). His email is eric.buckson@delaware.gov and phone number is 302-744-4048.

​

​

In addition to the current session's bills, five bills we are watching did not complete the entire legislative process in 2025 and are likely to be reintroduced.

 

House Bill 31 (REPORTED OUT OF COMMITTEE)  regulates persons who receive compensation for advising or assisting with veterans' benefits earned by serving our nation in the military. This bill would not prohibit persons or business entities from receiving compensation for advice to Veterans that is unrelated to veteran claims or services available to veterans from the V.A. or its accredited agencies. Investment, insurance, banking, and other advice or services not provided by the V.A., or its accredited agencies may be obtained by veterans and fees charged for such services.

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=141736

​​​

​House Bill 108 (REPORTED OUT OF COMMITTEE) increases the personal income tax pension exclusion from $12,500 to $25,000 including military pensions.

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142071

​

​House Bill 133 (REPORTED OUT OF COMMITTEE) gives courts the discretion to waive fines and fees, in whole or in part, in appropriate circumstances. It also creates a presumption that fines and fees will not be imposed when a defendant shows evidence of certain conditions, including receiving a public assistance benefit (like Medicaid, SNAP, or veterans’ benefits like Veterans Affairs Pension or Service-Connected Disability Compensation) or being represented by the Office of Defense Services. It also creates a hearing process for anyone already sentenced to pay a fine or fee. The changes in this Act are based on recommendations of the Criminal Legal System Imposed Debt Study Group.

​https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142176​

​

House Bill 218 (ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEE) requires the courts to consider whether a military protective order has been issued against a respondent in determining whether there is an immediate and present danger to the petitioner. It further requires that a law-enforcement officer notify the agency that entered a military protective order against an individual, if the law-enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the individual violated the military protective order.

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142554​​

​

House Substitute 1 for House Bill 162 (ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEE) defines a multilevel distribution company and multilevel marketing program. It sets forth mandatory disclosures that must be made by a multilevel distribution company to any potential purchaser that discloses details about the company, sometimes based on certain representations that the company makes. 

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142477​​

​