PRIA Logo™
DelawareHB 146153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MILFORD RELATING TO ENUMERATED POWERS AND CITY COUNCIL GOVERNMENT.

Sponsored By: Bryan W. Shupe (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

City can take land for projects

The City Council can use eminent domain to acquire property under Delaware Title 29, Chapter 95. Land that will be used only for recreation is off-limits. This authority applies to property owners in Milford and must follow state law procedures.

No office if you owe Milford

You cannot run for Mayor or Council if you owe the City taxes, special assessments, utility bills, or other fees that you can no longer appeal. If a sitting Mayor or Councilmember is over two months behind on such debts and does not appeal, they are disqualified. The seat is declared vacant for the rest of the term under Article 4.05.

Longer terms for Mayor and Council

Beginning after January 1, 2026, a Mayor elected or appointed for the 2026 election serves a three-year term. Beginning after January 1, 2027, Councilmembers elected or appointed in the 2027 and 2028 elections serve three-year terms. All later elections keep these three-year terms.

New rules for Council roles and meetings

The Mayor leads City Council meetings and votes only to break a tie. The Mayor signs Council‑authorized contracts, deeds, leases, bonds, proclamations, and other documents, and must countersign orders, checks, and warrants (or a designee does). With Council consent, the Mayor may set up committees and appoint members and chairs. The City Council has up to eight members: two from each of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Wards. The yearly organizational meeting is at 7:00 p.m. on the second Monday after the annual election.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bryan W. Shupe

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Charles S Postles Jr.

    Republican • House

  • David L. Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 61 • No: 0

Senate vote • 7/1/2025

Passed (2/3 required)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote • 6/24/2025

Passed (2/3 required)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    7/1/2025Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    6/30/2025Senate

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 6 On Its Merits

    6/25/2025Senate

  4. Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate

    6/24/2025Senate

  5. Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 VACANT

    6/24/2025House

  6. Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 4 On Its Merits

    6/18/2025House

  7. Introduced and Assigned to Administration Committee in House

    5/8/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation