Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
HB 456: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUBAQUEOUS LANDS.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 456 is a bill introduced in the Delaware House on June 4, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SUBAQUEOUS LANDS. Primary sponsor: Cyndie Romer (Democratic), Ron Gray (Republican), Kyra Hoffner (Democratic). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (September 24, 2026): Signed by Governor.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
This Act streamlines DNREC’s subaqueous lands permitting process by adding permitting exemptions for common activities already authorized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, expanding the use of general permits to provide statewide authorization for certain activities instead of individual permits, clarifying when some decisions may be delegated from the Secretary to Department staff, imposing specific processing timelines for minor structures and standardizing applications to reduce processing delays. It also creates the Marine Contractors and Consultants Licensing Board, to assist DNREC in licensing and regulation of individuals and entities that affect submerged lands or tidelands.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4 · Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyndie Romer | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 25 |
| Ron Gray | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 38 |
| Kyra Hoffner | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 14 |
| Frank Burns | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 21 |
| Debra Heffernan | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 6 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Signed by Governor
- Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
- Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 6 On Its Merits
- Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate
- Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
- Reported Out of Committee (Natural Resources & Energy) in House with 7 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
- Introduced and Assigned to Natural Resources & Energy Committee in House