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SA1TOHB222 • 2025

This Amendment lowers the minimum fine from $125 to $50 and the maximum fine from $5,000 to $2,000 per violation.

This Amendment lowers the minimum fine from $125 to $50 and the maximum fine from $5,000 to $2,000 per violation.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Pettyjohn
Last action
2026-03-12
Official status
Defeated 3/12/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The statement 'makes penalties about twice as high as before' was removed because it contradicts the intent of lowering fines. The bill summary indicates that penalties will be approximately half, not double, compared to previous levels.

Amendment to Lower Fines

This amendment changes the fines for certain violations by lowering both the minimum and maximum amounts.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the lowest fine from $125 to $50.
  • Changes the highest fine from $5,000 to $2,000.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who violate rules and face fines under this law.

Terms To Know

Amendment
A change made to a bill or law.
Violation
Breaking a rule or law.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill was defeated in the Senate and did not become a law.
  • It is unclear exactly which violations this amendment would apply to.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-12 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Placed With Bill

  2. 2026-03-12 Delaware General Assembly

    Defeated By Senate. Votes: 6 YES 14 NO 1 NOT VOTING

Official Summary Text

This Amendment lowers the minimum fine from $125 to $50 and the maximum fine from $5,000 to $2,000 per violation. As a result, the penalties will increase to approximately twice the current levels rather than five times the current levels proposed in the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Pettyjohn

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

HOUSE BILL NO. 222

AMEND House Bill No. 222 on line 48 by deleting "

$125

" before "nor" therein and inserting in lieu thereof "

$50

".

FURTHER AMEND House Bill No. 222 on line 48 by deleting "

$5,000

" before "for" therein and inserting in lieu thereof "

$2,000

".

SYNOPSIS

This Amendment lowers the minimum fine from $125 to $50 and the maximum fine from $5,000 to $2,000 per violation. As a result, the penalties will increase to approximately twice the current levels rather than five times the current levels proposed in the bill.

Author: Senator Pettyjohn