AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9 OF ARTICLE II OF THE DELAWARE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE RULES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Plain English Breakdown

Source confirms bill passed both chambers but does not specify next steps for constitutional amendments beyond legislative passage.

Amendment to Change Voting Rules in Delaware's Legislature

This bill proposes changing the state constitution so that lawmakers need more votes to pause or skip their own meeting rules.

What This Bill Does

• Proposes an amendment to Section 9 of Article II of the Delaware Constitution.
• Requires a three-fifths vote from all elected members in each house to suspend any rule.

Who It Names or Affects

• Members of the Delaware House of Representatives
• Members of the Delaware Senate

Terms To Know

Constitutional Amendment

A formal change to the state constitution.

Suspend Rules

To temporarily stop following a specific rule during a legislative meeting.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill has passed both chambers of the legislature.
• A motion to release the measure failed on March 18, 2026.
• No effective date is listed in the provided material.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9 OF ARTICLE II OF THE DELAWARE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE RULES OF PROCEEDINGS.
This is the First Leg Constitutional Amendment to require a three-fifths vote to suspend rules.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Spiegelman & Sen. Buckson

Reps. Michael Smith, Yearick; Sens. Hocker, Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 239

AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 9 OF ARTICLE II OF THE DELAWARE CONSTITUTION RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE RULES OF PROCEEDINGS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Two-thirds of all members elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend Section 9 of Article II of the Delaware Constitution by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 9. Rules; punishment and expulsion of members; scope of powers.

Section 9. Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings,

provided, however, no rule or rules may be suspended without the concurrence of three-fifths of all members elected to the particular house desiring to suspend a rule or rules. Each House may

punish any of its members for disorderly behavior, and with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members elected thereto expel a member, and shall have all other powers necessary for a branch of the Legislature of a free and independent State.

SYNOPSIS

This is the First Leg Constitutional Amendment to require a three-fifths vote to suspend rules.