Delaware General Assembly Pre-Game Show: Tuesday, June 9, 2026

The good?  SB 271 (Sokola), which finally seeks to reign in the toxic power of pharmacy benefits managers.  Among other things, the bill:

‘strengthens procedural protections for pharmacies, pharmacists, and consumers related to regulation of a pharmacy benefits manager by doing all of the following: Adds definitions for the terms “chronic or long-term condition”, “net amount”, “purchaser”, “recoupment”, “similarly situated contracted pharmacy”, and “wholesale invoice audit.” Applies audit notice requirements uniformly and ensures access to an appropriate point of contact. Requires a pharmacy benefits manager to provide a list of records that the auditing entity seeks to audit at least 5 business days before an audit. Limits activities to once every 12 months and sets standards for wholesale invoice audits. Ensures audit costs are borne solely by the pharmacy benefits manager. Clarifies that a pharmacy can appeal the amount of any reimbursement and that a contracted pharmacy’s representative can take actions and receive notices related to appeals on behalf of a pharmacy. Extends pharmacies’ ability to appeal from 10 days to 40 days to account for entities that complete retroactive billing.’

It does a lot more.  I’m cutting it short for ‘e-space’ reasons (aka I’m lazy).

The bad, as in blatant special interest legislation:

‘…allows for the delivery of alcoholic liquors from any entity with a valid off-premise license…and  In addition, this substitute provides that acts of a licensed consumer delivery permittee or a delivery driver are not attributable to the retailer, and clarifies that § 516 of Title 4 applies to package stores, restaurants, and clubs…In addition, this substitute bill provides that a third-party delivery vendor may charge package stores no more than a single, flat rate that is applicable to all package stores.’

Campaign contributions all around!

I found the House Agenda less intriguing.  YMMV.

Today’s House Committee highlights:

HB 451 (K. Johnson) ‘ clarifies that Delaware’s Fair Housing Act (Chapter 46 of Title 6) prohibits housing practices that have a discriminatory effect, commonly known as “disparate impact,” even in the absence of discriminatory intent.  Housing.

HB 403 (Snyder-Hall) ‘requires taprooms and taverns to keep at least 2 working opioid antagonists on the premises at all times. It also requires employees who sell alcohol to receive training in the use of opioid antagonists in an emergency as part of State-mandated training.’  Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce.

HB 450 (Bush) appears to be one of those ‘cutting bureaucratic red-tape’ bills.  However, when I see Reps. Morrison and Wilson-Anton on the bill, my suspicion is allayed. Somewhat.  The bill:

‘make(s) significant changes to Delaware’s land use permitting process by building on Governor Meyer’s Executive Order No. 18, which created the Permitting Accelerator to reform policies, processes, and procedures that have accumulated over decades and are holding back jobs, housing, and other critical infrastructure statewide. In 2019, a study of Delaware’s permitting process was undertaken. The study concluded that Delaware’s permitting process was significantly longer and more challenging than those of surrounding states in the region.’  Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce.

This Act allows Delaware horse racetracks to sell alcohol for on-premise consumption until 2:00 a.m. This Act also removes the power of municipalities to require closing time to be at an earlier time for horse racetracks that sell alcoholic liquor.

Lumpy Carson is the sponsor.  What track does he frequent?  Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce.

Y’know, I notice a theme emerging with this year’s bills–expansion of opportunities to drink alcohol both at home and out in public.

I call your attention to the agenda for the House Appropriations Committee.  I’m pretty sure that all the bills here are being considered because funding for their implementation have been included in the State Budget.  Which makes sense, as the members of the House Appropriations Committee are also the House members on the Joint Finance Committee.

No Senate committee meetings today.

Let’s close on a positive note: