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SA1TOSB220 • 2025

This Amendment makes a technical correction relating to Section 7 of the Charter and replaces language relating to Section 12 of the Charter regarding enforcement, fines, and penalties.

This Amendment makes a technical correction relating to Section 7 of the Charter and replaces language relating to Section 12 of the Charter regarding enforcement, fines, and penalties.

Crime
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Seigfried
Last action
2026-01-20
Official status
Introduced and Placed With Bill
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not listed in the source material; only the introduction date (2026-01-20) and status are known.

Amendment Fixing Village Rules on Courts and Fines

This amendment fixes a technical error in Section 7 of the Charter regarding the Board of Assessors and updates rules about court power, fines, and appeals for breaking village laws.

What This Bill Does

  • Corrects text to list the Board of Assessors under Section 7.
  • Gives the Justice of the Peace Court authority over offenses against Village ordinances committed within the Village limits.
  • Sets a limit so that fines, penalties, or jail time cannot be higher than what State law allows.
  • Requires these court cases to happen in New Castle County at times and locations chosen by the Justice of the Peace Court.
  • Allows anyone convicted of breaking a village rule to appeal their case under Delaware law.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Board of Assessors
  • People who break Village ordinances within the Village limits
  • The Justice of the Peace Court in New Castle County

Limits and Unknowns

  • This amendment only changes specific lines in Senate Bill No. 220.
  • It does not set new fine amounts but says fines must follow State law limits.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-20 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Placed With Bill

Official Summary Text

This Amendment makes a technical correction relating to Section 7 of the Charter and replaces language relating to Section 12 of the Charter regarding enforcement, fines, and penalties.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Seigfried

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

SENATE BILL NO. 220

AMEND Senate Bill No. 220 by deleting lines 182 through 183 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“

Board of Assessors

Section 7

”.

FURTHER AMEND Senate Bill No. 220 by deleting lines 264 through 271 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

“

(a) The Justice of the Peace Court shall have jurisdiction over all offenses against the provisions of this Act or the authorized ordinances of the Village committed within the limits of the Village as far as to bail or fine and imprison offenders; provided that no fine, penalty, or sentence of imprisonment be in excess of the limits prescribed by State law. Cases shall be heard in New Castle County at a time and location set by the Justice of the Peace Court.

(b) No ordinance of the Village shall provide for a fine in excess of the limits prescribed by State law.

(c) Any person convicted by a Justice of the Peace for the violation of any Village ordinance may appeal from such conviction as provided by Delaware law.

”.

SYNOPSIS

This Amendment makes a technical correction relating to Section 7 of the Charter and replaces language relating to Section 12 of the Charter regarding enforcement, fines, and penalties.

Author: Senator Seigfried