A BOND AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND CERTAIN OF ITS AUTHORITIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE STATE; APPROPRIATING FUNDS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS OF THE DELAWARE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY; APPROPRIATING SPECIAL FUNDS OF THE DELAWARE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY; APPROPRIATING GENERAL FUNDS OF THE STATE; REPROGRAMMING CERTAIN FUNDS OF THE STATE; SPECIFYING CERTAIN PROCEDURES, CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH FUNDS; AND AMENDING CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Kerri Harris and 7 co-sponsors

Delaware authorizes bond issuance and appropriates funds for state capital improvements, infrastructure, and transportation projects through fiscal 2026, increasing long-term debt obligations.

Introduced and Assigned to Capital Improvement Committee in Senate

Legislative bill overview

SB 30 authorizes Delaware to issue general obligation bonds and revenue bonds through the Delaware Transportation Authority to fund capital improvement projects for fiscal year 2026. The bill appropriates funds from multiple sources including the Transportation Trust Fund, special funds, and general state funds, while also allowing for reprogramming of existing state resources and establishing procedures for how these funds may be spent.

Why is this important

Capital bonds directly fund infrastructure projects that affect daily life—roads, bridges, public facilities, and transportation systems. The mechanisms and amounts authorized determine which projects get built and how the state finances long-term development, with costs ultimately affecting taxpayers through debt service obligations that extend years into the future.

Potential points of contention

Scope of projects unclear: The bill's language is broad; the actual projects to be funded are not detailed in the bill itself, making it difficult for the public to evaluate specific priorities

Debt burden: Issuing bonds increases state debt that must be repaid with interest, potentially limiting flexibility for future budgets and fiscal priorities

Reprogramming authority: Allowing "reprogramming of certain funds" gives flexibility to administrators but reduces legislative oversight of how existing appropriations are redirected

Transportation Trust Fund allocation: How much of the Transportation Trust Fund is committed versus preserved for ongoing operational needs isn't specified in the summary