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DelawareHB 82 w/ SA 1153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

Sponsored By: Madinah Wilson-Anton (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Candidates in New Castle must live locally

Candidates for the Brandywine, Christina, Colonial, and Red Clay boards must be inhabitants of the seat they seek when they file. They must follow state school board candidate filing rules. This aligns elections with where candidates actually live.

Cape Henlopen candidates must live in area

Cape Henlopen candidates must be district inhabitants. Area seats require candidates to live in that area. Each candidate must state whether they will serve at-large or from their legal place of residence.

Indian River members must live in seat

Indian River board members must live in the Indian River School District and in the representative district they serve. Losing either qualification makes the seat vacant.

New rules for vocational-technical board

The vocational-technical district board has seven members, all appointed by the Governor from district inhabitants. Terms are seven years and staggered, with one appointment each year. If a member stops living in the district, the seat is vacant and the Governor fills the unexpired term. No more than four members may be from the same political party after terms expire, and each member must state their party.

Tighter residency rules for school boards

The law defines an “inhabitant” as someone who claims legal residence and actually lives in the district. School board members must be Delaware citizens, live in the district they serve, and be qualified to vote there when chosen. A member who is away from the district for over 75% of days in any 12 months loses inhabitant status. Time away for military deployment does not count against that 75% rule. Any district resident with good cause can ask the Superior Court to declare a vacancy if the board does not act.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Madinah Wilson-Anton

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Frank Burns

    Democratic • House

  • William Bush

    Democratic • House

  • Kimberly Williams

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Lambert

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

  • Edward S. Osienski

    Democratic • House

  • Cyndie Romer

    Democratic • House

  • Sherae'a Moore

    Democratic • House

  • David P. Sokola

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 93 • No: 1

House vote • 7/1/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/25/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 20 • No: 1

House vote • 5/6/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    6/30/2025Governor

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

    6/30/2025House

  3. Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 NO

    6/25/2025Senate

  4. Amendment SA 1 to HB 82 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    6/25/2025Senate

  5. Lifted From Table in Senate

    6/25/2025Senate

  6. Amendment SA 1 to HB 82 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    6/24/2025House

  7. Laid On Table in Senate

    6/24/2025Senate

  8. Reported Out of Committee (Education) in Senate with 5 On Its Merits

    5/21/2025Senate

  9. Assigned to Education Committee in Senate

    5/6/2025Senate

  10. Passed By House. Votes: 33 YES 8 ABSENT

    5/6/2025House

  11. Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 2 Favorable, 11 On Its Merits

    3/26/2025House

  12. Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House

    3/18/2025House

Bill Text

  • Current

    3/18/2025

    HTML

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