Delaware

Delaware fireworks bill would toughen penalties for violations

Published

6 months ago

June 8, 2025

Delaware fireworks bill would toughen penalties for violations

A bill making its way through the Delaware General Assembly seeks to toughen the state’s longstanding ban on most consumer fireworks by imposing steeper penalties, regulating sales and funding public education.

Sponsored by Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton and Sen. Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, House Bill 63 aims to clarify existing laws, deter illegal use and give the State Fire Marshal more authority to enforce regulations and prevent fire-related incidents.

If passed, the legislation would be the most significant update to the state’s fireworks laws in years. Violators of the law would be fined up to $1,000. Retailers who continue to operate without a permit could be fined up to $10,000.

Fireworks laws ignored or misunderstood

Delaware prohibits most consumer fireworks, including aerial mortars and bottle rockets. Only sparklers and ground-based fountains are permitted under specific circumstances. These items may be sold between June 4 and July 4, and again from December 1 to January 1. Use of these products is restricted to July 4, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the third day of Diwali.

Despite annual reminders, officials say many residents remain unaware of the rules, leading to widespread noncompliance and safety concerns.

Under the proposed amendments, anyone caught violating the fireworks ban could face escalating fines of up to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 or more for subsequent violations. Revenue from permit fees would fund public education and support enforcement efforts.

Fireworks bill targets misleading advertising

Lawmakers also hope to curb confusion caused by aggressive marketing from out-of-state retailers, who promote banned aerial fireworks to Delaware residents through ads on TV, radio and billboards.

If enacted, HB 63 would increase fines for illegal fireworks use and create a permitting system for retailers. Under the new system, sellers would need to register with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, which would oversee compliance and ensure only permitted fireworks are sold.

Retailers operating without required permits would face a fine of $1,000 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second and $10,000 for each additional violation.

Fireworks bill aims to expand public outreach on safety concerns

The legislation also addresses safety concerns related to legally allowed fireworks. According to the State Fire Marshal, sparklers and other ground-based fireworks have caused multiple fires, often due to improper disposal.

Fire officials have warned that smoldering debris can ignite fires hours after fireworks are discharged, especially in trash bins or on rooftops where they may go unnoticed until they spread. This risk increases significantly during dry conditions.

The bill includes provisions to expand public outreach efforts, particularly around safe handling and disposal.

Fireworks legislation faces time crunch, hurdles

The bill has cleared a House committee and is headed to the House floor, where it awaits a full vote. If it passes there, it will move to the Senate. However, both chambers are in recess until Tuesday, June 10, for ongoing Joint Finance Committee hearings.

With the legislative session set to end on June 30, time is running short. Because the bill imposes a new license fee, it will require a three-fifths majority in both chambers to pass.

You can contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Delaware will save more than $300M after federal tax decoupling takes effect

Published

2 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Delaware will save more than 0M after federal tax decoupling takes effect

The fiscal year 2027 forecast remained relatively flat from the October meeting. But some expenses declined, including salaries for teachers. Brian Maxwell, state director of Management and Budget, said teacher salary expenses were down because student enrollment has dropped. He said federal immigration policy could be impacting the state’s Multilingual Learners.

“Obviously, there have been a number of students that may not be showing up to class just because of the enforcement of [Immigration and Customs Enforcement],” he said. “So some of the families may be scared to actually send their kids to school.”

Maxwell said overall enrollment is down, but the number of students needing special education services is up. The next student count is in February.

DEFAC members also discussed the revised Healthcare Spending benchmark. In September, the subcommittee devised a methodology that only used healthcare inflation, resulting in a 7.13% for 2026.

“We all gathered in October and there was a fair amount of concern with that outcome,” said Christen Linke Young, director of Health and Social Services. “So the subcommittee reconvened earlier this month to consider a new approach.”

After adopting the methodology using expected national inflation data and a three-year measure of health care cost growth, the benchmark now sits at 4.9%. But Young said there would be no penalty for hospitals exceeding the guideline.

Gov. Meyer and the state’s largest nongovernmental employer, ChristianaCare Health System, reached an agreement earlier this year in a lawsuit the regional hospital system filed last year. The Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board was created by lawmakers in June 2024 to try to rein in hospital spending. But the agreement, which requires new legislation and the governor’s signature, would strip the board of its authority to approve and modify hospital budgets.

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Delaware

Snow melting soon as Delaware warms after icy blast

Published

14 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Snow melting soon as Delaware warms after icy blast

Delaware may have seen its first snowfall of the season, but it won’t stick around for long.

Despite below freezing temperatures Dec. 15 and Dec. 16, it’s possible that by the weekend there won’t be a trace of snow.

Here’s what to know about this week’s weather and snow melt.

When will the snow melt away?

While Delaware will face freezing temperatures Dec. 15 and Dec. 16, the National Weather Service forecast is calling for a warmup starting on Dec. 17. Here’s the forecast:

New Castle County

Cold weather will continue this evening and into Dec. 16 with lows dropping into the teens. The county will hit 32 degrees on Dec. 16 before dropping to 22 that night. Temperatures start climbing into the low 40s with partly sunny skies on Dec. 17. Highs will hit 51 degrees on Dec. 18. If most of the snow hasn’t melted by that point, it should be gone after rain goes through the area during the overnight between Dec. 17 and Dec. 18. Highs will remain above freezing, hitting 44 on Dec. 18.

Kent County

Lows will drop into the teens overnight before climbing above freezing on Dec. 16. On Dec. 17, Kent County will see partly sunny skies with highs in the upper 40s. It will be mostly cloudy on Dec. 18 with highs hitting 55. There’s a 90% chance of rain during the overnight hours into Dec. 19. The 19th is looking mostly cloudy with highs reaching 47.

Sussex County

After lows hit 19 during the overnight tonight, the high for Dec. 16 will be 38 degrees with sunny skies. Any snow in the southern part of the state will vanish Dec. 17 and Dec 18. Both days will feature sunny skies with highs reaching the low 50s on Dec. 17 and almost hitting 60 on Dec. 18.

What is black ice?

Despite the warm up, overnight temperatures are expected to be below freezing. If you are driving at night, you’ll need to watch out for black ice.

According to The Weather Channel, black ice is a thin layer of ice that forms on roads and is difficult to see. It’s generally found on bridges, overpasses and spots on the road shaded by trees or other objects.

If roadways are wet from rain, snow or fog and temperatures drop below 32 degrees, black ice can form on roadways.

If you hit black ice, you should do the following:

Keep your steering wheel straight.
Do not brake
Take your foot off the accelerator to reduce speed

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Delaware

Delayed openings in Delaware: What schools are starting late?

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Delayed openings in Delaware: What schools are starting late?

Potentially icy road conditions have led every public school in Delaware to announce delayed openings for Dec. 15.

Every public school is operating on some sort of delay, most of which are two hours. The Delaware Department of Transportation already sent out a warning about treacherous driving conditions. Whatever has not dried from the Dec. 14 snowstorm will freeze over as temperatures plunge into the 20s and winds kick up over night.

The following school districts have announced delays.