DelawareSB 59153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND UTILITY RATES.

Sponsored By: Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic)

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

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

Utility rates: stronger oversight and new tools

Beginning January 1, 2026, in rate cases utilities must prove their costs were prudent; the Commission judges prudence by what the utility knew at the time and can disallow part or all of a cost. After notice and hearing, the Commission sets just and reasonable rates when current or proposed rates are unjust, unreasonable, imprudent, or discriminatory. Commission orders take effect at least 30 days after service unless the utility agrees to an earlier date. The Commission may also use alternatives to traditional rate-of-return regulation—like price caps, incentives, earnings sharing, service categories, and different returns—after notice and hearing and when in the public interest.

Water bills: new project cost rules

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Public Service Commission can include just, reasonable, and prudent water project costs in rates for facilities built to serve existing customers or customers expected within 3 years. The utility must rely on customer projections that are not arbitrary and that come from engineers, planners, government sources, or the utility. At first, the Commission does not impute revenues for these projects. After 3 years, if the utility serves under 75% of the projected customers, the Commission may impute revenues only for the shortfall; at 75% or more, no imputation applies. This rule does not apply if the utility is under a service-ability review under Title 16 §122(3)c or a Commission review tied to service quality.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Stephanie L. Hansen
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Eric Buckson
Republican • Senate
Frank Burns
Democratic • House
William Bush
Democratic • House
William J. Carson
Democratic • House
Mara Gorman
Democratic • House
Krista Griffith
Democratic • House
Kerri Evelyn Harris
Democratic • House
Debra Heffernan
Democratic • House
Gerald W. Hocker
Republican • Senate
Kyra L. Hoffner
Democratic • Senate
Russell Huxtable
Democratic • Senate
Kimberly Williams
Democratic • House
Larry Lambert
Democratic • House
S. Elizabeth Lockman
Democratic • Senate
Spiros Mantzavinos
Democratic • Senate
Eric Morrison
Democratic • House
DeShanna U Neal
Democratic • House
Brian Pettyjohn
Republican • Senate
Sophie Phillips
Democratic • House
Marie Pinkney
Democratic • Senate
Ray Seigfried
Democratic • Senate
Claire Snyder-Hall
Democratic • House
David P. Sokola
Democratic • Senate
Laura V. Sturgeon
Democratic • Senate
Bryan Townsend
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 58 • No: 0

House vote • 6/27/2025

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/20/2025