2026 HOW THEY
VOTED SCORECARD
1201 N. Orange St. | Ste. 200 | P.O. Box 671 | Wilmington, DE 19899-0761 | (302) 655-7221 | www.DSCC.com
2
Message From The President Last year, we launched “How They Voted” as another step in our ongoing effort to provide greater insight around votes cast by members of the General Assembly. It was intentionally straightforward. We simply wanted to show how members voted on legislation the Delaware State Chamber identified as important to Delaware's business community. However, transparency without accountability only tells part of the story. So, this year we're taking the next step. As the 2026 Legislative Session began, all legislators were notified that the State Chamber would expand “How They Voted” to include legislator grades based on our publicly stated positions on key legislation. As we head into another election season, we believe Delawareans deserve more than a list of votes, but a consistent way to evaluate how those votes align with the policies employers and employees believe will create jobs, strengthen our economy, and improve our state's long-term competitiveness. Good public policy starts with informed discussion. Our purpose is to present the facts, encourage accountability, and help connect the decisions made in Legislative Hall with the future we're building for Delaware.
Michael J. Quaranta
President, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce
Table of Contents MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
2
PAIN POINTS FOR DELAWARE BUSINESS
3
HOW WE SHAPE OUR POLICY AGENDA
4
BUILDING A MORE PROSPEROUS DELAWARE
5
POLICIES AGAINST GROWTH
6
LEGISLATION KILLED BEFORE HITTING THE FLOOR
7
LEGISLATION INCLUDED IN THE SCORECARD
8
HOW THE SCORECARD WORKS
8
HOW THEY VOTED - SENATE
9
HOW THEY VOTED - HOUSE
10
3
Pain Points For Delaware Businesses Delaware’s business community is clear about the challenges they face. From workforce shortages and rising costs to regulatory hurdles and uncertainty in state policy, these pain points directly impact businesses’ ability to grow and compete. Responses from our 2025 stakeholder survey highlight where action is most needed and show why our 2026 Competitiveness Agenda focuses on tackling these barriers head-on.
18%
of respondents believe the General Assembly prioritizes the needs of Delaware's business community.
55%
of respondents identified the statelevel permitting process as the most cumbersome, followed by county, federal, and municipal permitting.
TOP FOUR ISSUES IMPACTING BUSINESSES:
Government Mandates and Regulations
Cost of Doing Business
Government and Leadership
Education
49%
of respondents ranked government regulations/mandates as the biggest barrier facing Delaware's business community.
84%
believe the Delaware State Chamber is a catalyst to lead on projects of importance to the business community.
MEET DSCC’S REGISTERED LOBBYISTS
Michael J. Quaranta President
Evan R. Park Vice President of Government Relations
Kelly M. Basile Chief Operating Officer
4
How We Shape Our Policy Agenda The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce serves as the leading voice for our state’s employers and employees, advancing policies that strengthen our competitiveness and drive job creation. Each year, our Competitiveness Agenda is shaped through detailed input from members, policy committees, and strategic partners, and approved by our Board of Directors to ensure they reflect the real needs of Delaware’s diverse business community. At the start of every new legislative session, we release these priorities to provide policymakers with a clear roadmap of what employers need to Evan Park testifying in opposition of SB 272 on behalf grow, invest, and support their employees. Our advocacy team works of the business community. diligently to keep members well-informed on policy developments in Dover, while fighting for pro-growth policies that support businesses of all sizes and industries. As bipartisan advocates, we recognize the complex and challenging issues our elected leaders face, and we remain committed to working with balance, respect, and candor to make and sustain Delaware as a top state for job creation, economic activity, and quality of life. The numbers behind the 2026 legislative session reflect the breadth of that work.
591
total bills and resolutions introduced by the General Assembly
77
bills and resolutions DSCC monitored for potential impact on the business community
21,500+ 189 emails were opened containing DSCC policy updates, communications, and calls to action
member organizations participated on a DSCC policy committee
34
bills and resolutions DSCC took a formal position on
Scan the QR code to view our 2026 Competitveness Agenda
5
Building A More Prosperous Delaware WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING & EDUCATION HB 447 – CHILD CARE AFFORDABILITY Creates coordinated state-level planning around child care affordability. IMPACT: Child care affordability directly impacts workforce recruitment and retention. This legislation could lead to greater access to affordable child care and increased labor force participation.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Speaker of the House Melissa Minor-Brown presented her Child Care Affordability package to DSCC’s Board of Governors.
HB 450 – LAND USE AND PERMITTING
SB 23 – HOUSING SUPPLY AND AFFORDABILITY
Overhauls Delaware’s land-use permitting process.
Aims to increase the state’s housing supply.
IMPACT: This legislation means reduced project timelines, predictability and transparency for the permitting process, and increased regional competitiveness for Delaware.
IMPACT: Delaware’s housing supply is a key factor in attracting and retaining workers. This translates to a stronger workforce, lower employee turnover, and higher productivity for Delaware employers.
SB 315 – DELAWARE TECHNICAL INNOVATION PROGRAM Authorizes the Division of Small Business to provide matching or supplemental grant funding to Delaware small businesses who receive federal SBIR or STTR awards. IMPACT: This legislation invests in research, development, entrepreneurship, and small business growth.
The State Chamber’s commitment to advancing business opportunities and creating a thriving environment mirrors our own mission of empowering success and delivering elevated experiences.
DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson and Division of Water Director Steve Smailer spoke at DSCC’s Developing Delaware Conference to discuss Delaware’s permitting process and necessary reforms.
6
FISCAL POLICY
SB 16, 18, 19 – BANKING MODERNIZATION BILL PACKAGE Modernizes Delaware's banking laws by updating legal frameworks for digital assets, financial technology, and emerging financial services. IMPACT: This package of bills reaffirms Delaware’s position as a national leader in the banking and financial services sector.
HCR 144 - REPURPOSING UNDERUTILIZED PUBLIC FACILITIES
DSCC joined Governor Matt Meyer, Senator Spiros Mantzavinos, and key partners for the signing of the banking modernization bill package (SB 16, SB 18, and SB 19).
Develops a framework for identifying underutilized public properties and evaluating potential future community uses. IMPACT: This legislation means leveraging existing state buildings to address housing, child care, and workforce needs.
Policies Against Growth ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, & SUSTAINABILITY
FISCAL POLICY
HB 233 – LARGE ENERGY USE FACILITIES
HB 380 – PERSONAL DATA PRIVACY DETECTIONS
Requires regulated utilities to establish a separate rate class for large energy use facilities.
Proposes a major expansion of the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act, significantly broadening which businesses are subject to privacy compliance obligations.
IMPACT: The contents of this bill make the climate less attractive for major economic development projects by adding significant costs, regulatory requirements, and uncertainty for large energy users considering investing in the state.
HB 445 – LARGE ENERGY USE FACILITIES PERMITTING Requires large energy use facilities to produce renewable energy to power their operations to prevent a drain on the electric grid. IMPACT: The passing of this bill raises the cost and complexity of locating major energy-intensive projects, potentially putting the state at a disadvantage when competing for investment.
IMPACT: This legislation puts Delaware at a competitive disadvantage and discourages out-ofstate businesses from expanding into Delaware.
The Delaware State Chamber has been an invaluable resource for my small business. Every event they host creates meaningful opportunities to connect and grow, and their advocacy keeps me informed and engaged with the latest state legislation. The State Chamber team never hesitates to reach out with support or guidance whenever I need it. Delaware has an incredible business community, and I truly believe the State Chamber is an integral part of what makes it thrive.
7
Legislation Killed Before Hitting The Floor Some of the State Chamber’s most important legislative victories came before a floor vote ever took place. Through our collaborative advocacy efforts, the State Chamber helped stop several key bills from advancing. Although these pieces of legislation are not reflected in the Scorecard, preventing their progress was an important policy win for Delaware’s business community. Each of these bills represented a proposal that would have weakened Delaware’s business climate and burdened job creation.
71%
of the bills DSCC opposed were defeated, with member input helping to drive the outcome
HB 315 – INTERCHANGE FEES ON RESTAURANT TIPS Would have prohibited credit card issuers from charging interchange fees on the tip portion of credit card transactions, creating unnecessary conflict between Delaware's banking and hospitality industries, even though existing Delaware Department of Labor regulations already protect employee tips by prohibiting employers from deducting credit card processing fees.
SB 338 – TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE TAXATION Proposed removing limits on local taxes imposed on telecommunications infrastructure, discouraging broadband and telecommunications investment, both critical factors businesses consider when expanding or locating in Delaware.
HB 417 – GROSS RECEIPTS TAX EXEMPTION Would have significantly increased the gross receipts tax deduction for some licensed restaurants while leaving the tax unchanged for all other Delaware businesses, including some restarants. DSCC supports comprehensive tax relief that benefits businesses across all industries and looks forward to working with members of the House to introduce more comprehensive tax adjustments that would aid more businesses.
HB 453 – SURVEILLANCE PRICING Would have banned the use of consumer data to personalize prices for goods and services. DSCC had concerns that the broad restrictions could create unintended consequences for Delaware retailers, limit common pricing and promotional practices, and reduce consumer access to discounts and offers.
HB 454 – PUBLIC SPACES AND HOMELESSNESS This bill, the revised version of HB 135, would have expanded legal protections for individuals experiencing homelessness to conduct certain life-sustaining activities in public spaces, limiting the ability of businesses and local governments to address public health and safety concerns that could affect employers, employees, and customers.
8
Legislation Included In The Scorecard The following bills featured in this year's “How They Voted” Scorecard were selected because they received a vote on the House or Senate floor and were measures on which the State Chamber took a formal position and actively engaged throughout the legislative process. SB 16, 18, 19 – Banking modernization bill package | Supported | Signed by Governor To view bill details, click on the blue bill numbers or scan this QR code to search:
SB 23 – Housing supply and affordability | Supported | Signed by Governor HCR 144 – Repurposing underutilized public facilities | Supported | Passed HB 195 – Lowering the bartending age | Supported | Signed by Governor HB 233 – Large energy use facilities | Opposed | Awaiting Governor Signature SB 272* – Project labor agreements for school construction | Opposed | Defeated SB 280 – Organized retail theft and gift card fraud | Supported | Awaiting Governor Signature HB 306^ – AI-generated communications disclosure | Opposed | Defeated SB 315 – Delaware Technical Innovation Program | Supported | Awaiting Governor Signature SB 326 – Public Service Commission oversight | Opposed | Signed by Governor HB 380 – Personal data privacy protections | Opposed | Awaiting Governor Signature HB 402 – Clean Air Act Title V permitting | Supported | Signed by Governor HB 407 – Hazardous Substances Cleanup Act updates | Supported | Awaiting Governor Signature HB 445 – Large energy use facility permitting | Opposed | Awaiting Governor Signature HB 447 – Child care affordability | Supported | Awaiting Governor Signature HB 450 – Land use and permitting | Supported | Signed by Governor HB 456 – Subaqueous lands permitting | Supported | Awaiting Governor Signature
All bill statuses as of 8/14/26. * Bill did not make it to House floor. ^ Bill did not make it to Senate floor.
How The Scorecard Works Grading Scale A: 90 - 100% B+: 85 - 89% B: 80 - 84% C+: 75 - 79% C: 70 - 74% D: 60 - 69% F: Below 60%
The “How They Voted” scorecard evaluates members of the 153rd General Assembly based on votes cast on key businessrelated proposals during the 2026 legislative session. Included bills reflect the Delaware State Chamber's publicly stated positions and align with the policy priorities outlined in our Competitiveness Agenda. Votes cast in alignment with the State Chamber's positions earn positive points, while votes cast in opposition do not. Final scores are converted into letter grades, outlined here.
2026 How They Voted
✓ = voted yes
= Vote aligned with DSCC position
Senate
X = voted no
= Vote not aligned with DSCC position
A = absent O = abstained
4
SB
SB
SB
SB
SB
✓
✓
✓
✓
A
✓
✓
✓
✓
Buckson, R-16
C+ 78%
X
X
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
X
✓
✓
✓
Cruce, D-1
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hansen, D-10
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hocker*, R-20
B+ 87%
O
X
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
A
A
✓
X
Hoffner, D-14
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Huxtable, D-6
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lawson, R-15
C+ 75%
X
X
X
A
✓
✓
A
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
X
✓
✓
✓
Lockman*, D-3
C 71%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
O
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Mantzavinos, D-7
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Paradee, D-17
C 71%
O
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Pettyjohn*, R-19
C+ 78%
X
X
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
X
✓
✓
✓
Pinkney, D-13
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Poore, D-12
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Richardson, R-21
C+ 78%
X
X
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
X
✓
✓
✓
Seigfried, D-5
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sokola*, D-8
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Sturgeon, D-4
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Townsend*, D-11
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Walsh, D-9
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Wilson, R-18
C+ 78%
X
X
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
X
✓
✓
✓
28
19 B
32 6
SB
✓
31 5
SB
✓
0
SB
✓
27 2
C H
✓
23
R
B H
✓
19
45
B H
✓
18
45
B H
✓
16
44
B H
✓
14
44
B H
6
0
40 7
H B
✓
7
38 B
H
C 71%
SENATOR
40 2
23 3 B
Brown, D-2
5
GRADE
H
5
* = leadership
H
0
9
KEY:
10
KEY:
2026 How They Voted
✓ = voted yes
= Vote aligned with DSCC position
House
X = voted no
= Vote not aligned with DSCC position
A = absent O = abstained
4
C H
SB
SB
SB
SB
SB
SB
SB
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bolden, D-2
C 71%
O
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Burns, D-21
C 71%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
A
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Bush, D-29
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Carson, D-28
C 71%
✓
✓
O
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
Chukwuocha, D-1
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Collins, R-41
B 83%
X
X
X
X
X
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
X
Cooke, D-16
D 67%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
A
A
A
✓
✓
✓
✓
Dukes*, R-40
C+ 78%
X
X
X
✓
X
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
X
Jones Giltner, R-37
B+ 89%
✓
X
X
X
X
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
X
Gorman, D-23
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Gray, R-38
B+ 89%
✓
X
X
X
X
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
X
Griffith, D-12
C 71%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
A
✓
✓
Harris*, D-32
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Heffernan, D-6
C 71%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
A
✓
✓
✓
✓
Hensley, R-9
B 80%
✓
O
A
A
A
✓
O
A
✓
A
A
A
A
A
✓
A
A
✓
Hilovsky, R-4
C 72%
X
X
X
X
X
✓
X
X
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
X
Johnson, D-5
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lambert, D-7
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ross Levin, D-10
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Lynn, D-31
C 71%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
A
✓
✓
✓
✓
28
23
19
18
16
38
5 19 B
32 6
B H
✓
31 5
R
B H
✓
0
45
B H
✓
14
45
B H
6
0
44
B H
✓
7
44
H B
5
40 7
B H
✓
40 2
B H
C 72%
30
B H
Berry, D-20
23 3
REPRESENTATIVE GRADE
H
0
6
* = leadership
2026 How They Voted
A = absent O = abstained
4
* = leadership
R
B
C
H
H
SB
SB
SB
SB
SB
SB
SB
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Moore, D-8
B 80%
✓
✓
A
A
A
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Morris, R-30
B 83%
X
X
X
X
X
✓
X
A
✓
✓
A
A
A
A
O
✓
✓
X
Morrison, D-27
C 71%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
A
✓
✓
Neal, D-13
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ortega, D-3
D 69%
A
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
A
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Osienski*, D-24
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Phillips, D-18
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Postles, R-33
C+ 79%
X
O
X
X
X
✓
O
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
A
A
X
Romer, D-25
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Short, R-39
C+ 75%
✓
O
X
✓
X
✓
O
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
Shupe, R-36
C+ 75%
X
O
X
X
X
✓
O
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
X
M. Smith, R-22
B+ 87%
✓
O
A
✓
✓
✓
O
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
K. Smith, D-15
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Snyder-Hall, D-14
D 67%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
Spiegelman*, R-11
A 93%
✓
O
X
✓
✓
A
O
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
Vanderwende, R-35
B+ 88%
✓
X
X
X
X
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
A
✓
✓
X
✓
✓
X
Williams, D-19
C 72%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Wilson-Anton, D-26
C+ 76%
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
O
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Yearick, R-34
A 93%
A
X
X
X
X
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
A
A
X
28
23
19
18
16
38
5 19 B
32 6
45
B H
✓
31 5
45
B H
✓
0
44
B H
✓
14
44
B H
✓
7
40 7
H B
✓
40 2
B H
C 72%
30
B H
Minor-Brown*, D-17
23 3
REPRESENTATIVE GRADE
B
6
0
= Vote not aligned with DSCC position
H
5
X = voted no
H
0
✓ = voted yes
= Vote aligned with DSCC position
House, Continued 6
11
KEY:
The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce promotes a statewide economic climate that enables businesses of all sizes and types to become more competitive in a constantly changing, increasingly global, and unpredictable environment.