House passes package of bills including John Lewis Voting Rights Act, speech-protection and consumer measures

The Delaware House of Representatives passed a wide package of bills on June 18, 2026, moving dozens of measures through final reading and roll-call votes.

Among the measures enacted were the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act (House Bill 4-44, amended to delay its effective date to July 1, 2027), the Speak Your Truth Act (House Bill 3-55, as amended), and several bills affecting school taxes, public safety, and utility regulation. Sponsors described the measures as protections for voting access, survivors, taxpayers and as technical and programmatic updates across state law.

Votes at a glance (final House action): - House Bill 1-34 (animal cruelty penalties) — Passed (roll call: 41 yes). - House Bill 1-31 (pet stores/animal welfare, as amended) — Passed (roll call: 41 yes). - House Substitute 1 for House Bill 3-20 (constitutional technical corrections) — Passed (roll call: 39 yes, 2 absent). - House Substitute 1 for House Bill 4-07 (Hazardous Substances Cleanup Act technical updates) — Passed (roll call: 40 yes, 1 absent). - House Substitute 1 for House Bill 4-25 (salary supplement for nationally certified school staff) — Passed (roll call: 36 yes, 1 no, 4 absent). - House Substitute 1 for House Bill 4-50 (permitting/land-use, 'Road Delaware' Act) — Passed (final roll call recorded 39 yes, 1 no, 1 absent). - House Bill 4-59 (restricting energy-drink sales at secondary schools, amended) — Passed (roll call: 39 yes, 2 absent). - House Substitute 1 for House Bill 4-39 (electric mopeds/electric motorcycles consumer protections) — Passed (roll call: 39 yes, 1 no, 1 absent). - House Bill 4-44 (Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, as amended) — Passed (roll call: 29 yes, 11 no, 1 absent). - House Bill 3-55 (Speak Your Truth Act, as amended) — Passed (roll call: 30 yes, 9 no, 2 absent). - House Bill 3-41 (child support while child in custody) — Passed (roll call: 39 yes, absent noted where indicated). - House Bill 4-70 (public utilities and battery energy storage systems, as amended) — Passed (roll call: 39 yes, 2 absent). - Several other bills and substitutes were passed by voice or roll call; consent calendar items were adopted by voice vote early in the session.

Why it matters: The package combines civil-rights protections, consumer and public-safety measures, and administrative updates that will affect state and local operations. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Speak Your Truth Act drew the most substantial floor debate and divided votes, reflecting differing views on legal standards and scope of state-level protections.

Next steps: Bills passed by the House will proceed to the Senate where concurrence was already requested on some measures, and governors’ consideration will follow final enrollment where appropriate.