HCR77 • 2025

RECOGNIZING THE DELAWARE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND THE DELAWARE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT COMMISSION.

Agriculture Education

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Lambert
Last action: 2025-06-26
Official status: Passed House 6/26/25
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official status label says 'Passed Legislature,' but the digest notes it was sent to the Senate after passing the House. The bill text includes a resolution by both chambers, suggesting final passage occurred before this document's date.

Recognizing the Work of Delaware's Water Protection Groups

This resolution officially recognizes the work of the Delaware Nutrient Management Program and Commission in protecting water quality.

What This Bill Does

States that the House and Senate recognize the efforts of the Delaware Nutrient Management Program and Commission to improve ground and surface waters.
Notes that these groups manage how nutrients are used to protect water, support farmers, and meet federal standards.
Mentions that the program works with universities to teach best practices for farming.
Records that the commission focuses on education first but can use fines through a hearing process for repeated or excessive rule-breaking.

Who It Names or Affects

The Delaware Nutrient Management Program
The Delaware Nutrient Management Commission
Farmers who must follow nutrient management plans

Terms To Know

Nutrients: Substances used in farming that help plants grow but can harm water if not managed correctly.
CAFOs: Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, which are large farms raising many animals in one place and must follow strict rules.
Best Management Practices: Recommended methods for farming that help protect the environment and water quality.

Limits and Unknowns

This resolution does not create new laws or change existing rules.
The text does not say how much money is spent on these programs.
It does not list specific names of people who work for the commission.

Bill History

2025-06-26 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced in House
2025-06-26 Delaware General Assembly
Passed in House by Voice Vote

Official Summary Text

RECOGNIZING THE DELAWARE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND THE DELAWARE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT COMMISSION.
This concurrent resolution recognizes Delaware Nutrient Management Program and Commission, and the efforts they have made toward their mission to help improve and protect the quality of Delaware's ground and surface waters.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Lambert & Sen. Poore

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 77

RECOGNIZING THE DELAWARE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND THE DELAWARE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT COMMISSION.

WHEREAS, the Delaware Nutrient Management Program was established in 1999 and is directed by a diverse commission of appointed individuals and public servants that represent a variety of industries including agriculture, environmental, landscaping; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission upholds their mission which aims to manage those activities involving the generation and application of nutrients in order to help improve and protect the quality of Delaware’s ground and surface waters, sustain and promote a profitable agricultural community, and to help meet or exceed federally mandated water quality standards, in the interest of the overall public welfare; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission strives to be educational in nature first, rather than punitive; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission exercises their regulatory discretion and professional judgment to administer appropriate fines through a structured hearing process to remedy repetitive or excessive noncompliance; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Nutrient Management Program oversees Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in conjunction with Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) through delegated authority by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and

WHEREAS, Delaware farms that qualify as CAFOs must comply with EPA’s rigorous federal regulation in addition to the state Nutrient Management Program’s code; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Nutrient Management Program requires all farmers that meet minimum thresholds to gain and maintain certification and follow a certified Nutrient Management Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Nutrient Management Program actively partners with the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension to provide educational resources, monitor continuing education, and elevate the standard of employing Best Management Practices; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Nutrient Management Program maintains a high standard of 86% compliance amongst all regulated farms through routine inspection, complaint resolution, and ensuring the completion of corrective actions.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 153

rd

Delaware General Assembly that the Delaware Nutrient Management Commission and Program have done great work toward their mission and are encouraged to continue to do so.

SYNOPSIS

This concurrent resolution recognizes Delaware Nutrient Management Program and Commission, and the efforts they have made toward their mission to help improve and protect the quality of Delaware's ground and surface waters.