SB 171: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE TOWN OF HOUSTON.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

This Act amends the Town of Houston (“Town”) Charter to do all of the following: 1. Gender neutralize the Charter. 2. Clarify the voting rights for multiple owners of a single piece of real estate located in the Town. 3. Change the times for polling and elections. 4. Change the qualifications of Town Councilmembers, the Town Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Alderman, Assistant Alderman, Treasurer, Town Tax Collector, and Town Solicitor. 5. Change the dates on which nominations for Town Councilmembers can be made. 6. Clarify when Town Council meetings may be held and the date when Town Councilmembers can be sworn into office. 7. Change the type of contracts that the Town Council may enter into. 8. Change and clarify how Town taxes may be levied and collected. 9. Change how the Town budget must be posted. 10. Remove the regulation and control of observance of the Sabbath Day. 11. Change the Town’s right to regulate animals, beasts, birds, or fowl. 12. Increase the Town’s ability to levy fines. 13. Remove limits on the amount of revenue the Town may raise. 14. Clarify the utilities the Town may tax. 15. Increase the borrowing limits of the Town. 16. Give the Town greater flexibility to locate a bank to serve the Town. 17. Change the voting rights in special elections. 18. Corrects citations to the Delaware Code. This Act makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. This Act also incorporates previously enacted changes [64 Del. Laws c. 211] that were inadvertently not included in the online copy of the Town of Houston’s Charter. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article IX of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend a municipal charter.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. June 30, 2025Signed by Governor
2. June 30, 2025Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 VACANT
3. June 25, 2025Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 5 On Its Merits
4. June 25, 2025Assigned to Administration Committee in House
5. June 24, 2025Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
6. June 18, 2025Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
7. June 5, 2025Introduced and Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate