KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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HB282 • 2025

AN ACT TO DECREASE STATE SPENDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026.

AN ACT TO DECREASE STATE SPENDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026.

Budget Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Hilovsky
Last action
2026-01-27
Official status
House Administration 1/27/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states the goal is to 'alleviate any budgetary shortfall,' but does not confirm if a specific shortfall currently exists.

HB282: A Plan to Cut State Spending for 2026

This bill requires Delaware state agencies, higher education institutions, and elective offices to cut their Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund budgets by at least 1% (excluding debt service) and transfer that money back to the main state fund.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires each state agency, higher education institution, and other elective office to identify spending cuts equal to at least one percent of their Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund budget.
  • Excludes any appropriation for debt service from the required cut amount.
  • Orders these entities to transfer the identified funds to the Office of Management and Budget within 30 days of the law being enacted.

Who It Names or Affects

  • State government agencies
  • Higher education institutions in Delaware
  • Other elective offices

Terms To Know

Fiscal Year 2026
The specific one-year period for which the state plans its budget and spending.
General Fund
The main pool of money used by the state to pay for regular government operations.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not list specific agencies or schools that must make cuts, only general categories.
  • It is unclear exactly how each agency will choose which programs or services to reduce in order to meet the 1% target.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-27 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Administration Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO DECREASE STATE SPENDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026.
This act cuts Fiscal Year 2026 state spending by 1% to alleviate any budgetary shortfall and avoid unnecessary tax law changes that damage the state's long-term finances.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Hilovsky & Sen. Buckson

Rep. Yearick; Sen. Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 282

AN ACT TO DECREASE STATE SPENDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, except as provided herein, each state agency, higher education institution, and other elective office shall, within 30 days of enactment of this act, identify and transfer Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund appropriations in an amount equal to at least one percent of their Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund budget, excluding any appropriation for debt service, to the Office of Management and Budget Contingencies and One-Time Items for reversion to the General Fund.

SYNOPSIS

This act cuts Fiscal Year 2026 state spending by 1% to alleviate any budgetary shortfall and avoid unnecessary tax law changes that damage the state's long-term finances.