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DelawareSB 233153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF ICE AND SNOW FROM VEHICLES.

Sponsored By: Bryan Townsend (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Falling vehicle snow brings larger penalties

Delaware imposes civil penalties when ice or snow falls from a moving vehicle and causes property damage or physical injury. A non-commercial vehicle's driver faces $200 to $1,000 per occurrence. For commercial vehicles, the operator, owner, lessee, or person entrusted with the vehicle faces $500 to $1,500 per occurrence. Injured people and property owners can still pursue other legal remedies. This section does not apply when the vehicle travels on a road with a speed limit of 25 mph or less.

Drivers must clear snow but avoid points

Delaware drivers must clear ice and snow from vehicle exteriors before driving on roads with speed limits above 25 mph. During continuous driving, drivers need not remove new ice or snow buildup except from the windshield. Violations carry $25 to $75 civil penalties; each day counts separately, but each driver faces only one penalty per 24 hours. Police can make enforcement stops when they have reasonable, specific grounds to suspect a violation. Violations of these ice and snow rules add no license points or driving-record entries.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bryan Townsend

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Daniel B. Short

    Republican • House

  • Stephanie L. Hansen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyra L. Hoffner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Russell Huxtable

    Democratic • Senate

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

  • Edward S. Osienski

    Democratic • House

  • Brian Pettyjohn

    Republican • Senate

  • David P. Sokola

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura V. Sturgeon

    Democratic • Senate

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

  • David L. Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 56 • No: 6

House vote • 6/30/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 35 • No: 6

Senate vote • 5/12/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    9/24/2026Governor

  2. Passed By House. Votes: 35 YES 6 NO

    6/30/2026House

  3. Amendment HA 1 to SB 233 - Defeated By House. Votes: 19 YES 22 NO

    6/30/2026House

  4. Amendment HA 1 to SB 233 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    6/30/2026Senate

  5. Lifted From Table in House

    6/30/2026House

  6. Laid On Table in House

    6/30/2026House

  7. Reported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 6 On Its Merits

    5/19/2026House

  8. Assigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House

    5/13/2026House

  9. Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    5/12/2026Senate

  10. Amendment SA 1 to SB 233 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

    5/12/2026Senate

  11. Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 4 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

    5/5/2026Senate

  12. Amendment SA 1 to SB 233 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    3/20/2026Senate

  13. Introduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate

    1/29/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    1/29/2026

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