AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT FUND.

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not explicitly stated in the provided text, only that it was signed on June 24, 2026.

Changes Reporting Rules for the Community Environmental Project Fund

This law changes how often the Department of Natural Resources must report on spending from a fund used to help communities with environmental problems.

What This Bill Does

• Requires annual reports instead of quarterly reports on fund projects and expenditures.
• Sends these new reports to the Governor, members of the General Assembly, and specific legislative staff for distribution.
• Keeps the rule that all fund expenses must be explained in the yearly budget presentation.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Controls (DNREC).
• State lawmakers, including members of the House of Representatives and Senate.
• Organizations that receive money from the Community Environmental Project Fund to help communities affected by environmental violations.

Terms To Know

Community Environmental Project Fund

A fund created in 2004 using penalty payments collected by DNREC to support projects that eliminate pollution, improve health conditions, enhance habitats, and expand recreation.

Civil and administrative penalties

Fines or fees paid to the state for breaking environmental rules, which fill this specific fund.

Limits and Unknowns

• The official text does not list a specific effective date other than noting it was signed by the Governor.
• The law changes reporting frequency and recipients but does not change how much money is in the fund or what projects are allowed.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT FUND.
This Act revises the reporting requirements for the Community Environmental Project Fund for the purpose of easing the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Controls’ (DNREC) administrative burden. The fund was created by the General Assembly in 2004. This fund is capitalized with civil and administrative penalty payments received by DNREC. The collected funds are then disbursed to organizations serving communities affected by environmental violations.
Projects provided by these organizations include eliminating, minimizing, or abating pollution, improving environmental conditions that impact human health, enhancing natural resources to improve habitats, and expanding recreational opportunities.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Lambert & Sen. Poore

Reps. Burns, Griffith, Morrison, Berry, Snyder-Hall; Sen. Hansen

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 391

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT FUND.

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

Section 1. Amend § 6042, Title 7 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 6042. Civil and administrative penalties; Community Environmental Project Fund.

(f) The Department

shall

must

submit

quarterly

annual

reports on the progress of the expenditures

and/or

or

projects conducted with the Community Environmental Project Fund to the Governor and

members of the General Assembly

the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives for distribution to all Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate for distribution to all Senators, and the Director and Librarian of the Division of Legislative Services

.

All of the expenditures made by or on behalf of the Fund, together with an explanation the process utilized for selecting and prioritizing Projects, shall be reported annually to the Joint Finance Committee in the Department’s budget presentation.

SYNOPSIS

This Act revises the reporting requirements for the Community Environmental Project Fund for the purpose of easing the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Controls’ (DNREC) administrative burden. The fund was created by the General Assembly in 2004. This fund is capitalized with civil and administrative penalty payments received by DNREC. The collected funds are then disbursed to organizations serving communities affected by environmental violations.

Projects provided by these organizations include eliminating, minimizing, or abating pollution, improving environmental conditions that impact human health, enhancing natural resources to improve habitats, and expanding recreational opportunities.