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DelawareSB 321153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATED TO UTILITY BILLING.

Sponsored By: Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Guaranteed savings for community energy households

Residential subscribers must save at least 10% at facilities certified to operate on or after September 2, 2026. Income-qualified residential subscribers must save at least 20%. These minimum savings account for subscription and other fees charged by the subscribing organization or facility. Facilities certified on or before September 1, 2026 must provide a net discount after fees. Subscription Coordinators cannot require residential credit checks or upfront enrollment fees. Through consolidated billing, they also cannot impose subscription fees, early termination penalties, or charges unrelated to energy service.

Reserved community energy for lower-income households

Facilities certified to operate on or after September 2, 2026 must direct at least 15% of energy output to income-qualified customers. The low-to-moderate-income limit is 350% of federal poverty guidelines or 80% of state median household income, whichever is higher. Gross annual income and family size determine eligibility. A separate certification rule requires at least 15% of output to serve low-income customers at those newly certified facilities. That income limit is 200% of federal poverty guidelines or 60% of state median household income, whichever is higher. Facilities must certify income-eligibility compliance to the Public Service Commission every three years. Earlier facilities retain transition options, including using the existing low-income standard or choosing the newer output-based standard.

One clearer bill for energy subscribers

Delaware’s regulated electric utilities must offer consolidated billing to residential and small-to-mid-sized commercial subscribers by October 1, 2027. The utility subtracts the subscription charge from the community energy credit and applies the savings to one utility bill. Utilities must send collected subscription payments electronically to Subscription Coordinators within 60 business days of the billing date. Consolidated billing is the default for facilities certified to operate on or after September 2, 2026, unless subscribers opt out. Facilities certified on or before September 1, 2026 can opt out through a written utility request by September 1, 2027. Subscribers contact their Subscription Coordinator to leave consolidated billing; coordinators can use a 0% savings rate for separate invoicing. Coordinators handle marketing, enrollment, and utility interactions; their defined role excludes back-office vendors. Facility owners remain responsible for subscription administration through the utility’s community energy portal. The Public Service Commission must adopt rules by April 1, 2027, covering data exchange, billing errors, monthly credits, and bill displays. Bills must show credits used and credits saved for later. A stakeholder group must report by January 31, 2027, on data standards, income-targeted enrollment, consumer protections, and program alignment.

Community energy billing fees face limits

Utilities can recover reasonable billing administration and technology costs through a Public Service Commission-approved fee. The fee is capped at 1% of subscriber bill credits unless the Commission finds a higher fee fair and reasonable. Utilities can also charge an escrow fee of up to 0.25% to cover overdue customer accounts. Unused escrow money must be returned to Subscription Coordinators each year. The law does not state whether the escrow fee reaches households directly. The Commission and utilities must review these fees every two years and recommend legislative changes as appropriate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stephanie L. Hansen

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Alonna Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Frank Burns

    Democratic • House

  • William J. Carson

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Heffernan

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Lambert

    Democratic • House

  • Sophie Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Marie Pinkney

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Snyder-Hall

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 56 • No: 3

House vote • 6/24/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/9/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 17 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    8/27/2026Governor

  2. Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT

    6/24/2026House

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Natural Resources & Energy) in House with 6 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits

    6/17/2026House

  4. Assigned to Natural Resources & Energy Committee in House

    6/10/2026House

  5. Passed By Senate. Votes: 17 YES 3 NO 1 ABSENT

    6/9/2026Senate

  6. Amendment SA 1 to SB 321 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT

    6/9/2026Senate

  7. Amendment SA 1 to SB 321 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

    6/4/2026Senate

  8. Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 4 Favorable, 1 On Its Merits

    5/21/2026Senate

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

    5/15/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    5/15/2026

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