AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 26 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Stephanie Hansen and 8 co-sponsors

SB 326 seeks to update Delaware’s Public Service Commission rules, potentially altering its authority, procedures, and consumer protections for utility regulation.

Passed By House. Votes: 30 YES 11 NO

Summary of SB 326 (Session 153, Delaware)

Purpose and intent

SB 326 proposes amendments to Title 26 of the Delaware Code governing the Public Service Commission (PSC). The bill appears to aim at updating or refining the PSC’s statutory framework to reflect current regulatory needs, service delivery, and accountability. The introduced bill is assigned to the Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in the Senate, with multiple sponsors including Stephanie Hansen, Bryant Richardson, Brian Pettyjohn, and Russ Huxtable.

Key provisions and changes (as described by the bill)

The bill modifies provisions related to the Public Service Commission, which administers and regulates public utilities and related services in Delaware. While the exact textual changes are not provided in the summary, typical objectives of such amendments include:

Revisions to the PSC’s authority, duties, or procedures
Updates to rate-setting, consumer protections, or service standards
Changes to filing, notice, or hearing requirements for utility cases
Adjustments to PSC appointment, terms, or organizational structure
Clarifications of penalties, enforcement mechanisms, or compliance processes

The bill’s scope is limited to Title 26 (Public Utilities) and focuses on the statutory framework governing the PSC’s operations.

Affected parties and entities

Public Service Commission: primary regulatory body whose powers and processes may be updated.

Public utilities and service providers operating in Delaware under PSC oversight.

Consumers and ratepayers who rely on PSC decisions for utility rates, service quality, and protections.

State agencies, lawmakers, and potentially municipal or regional entities interacting with the PSC’s regulatory framework.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced and assigned to the Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in the Senate on May 18, 2026.

Next steps: The committee would review the bill, possibly hold hearings, and decide whether to advance it to the full Senate for consideration. If advanced, the bill would proceed through standard Delaware legislative process (committee hearings, potential amendments, floor votes in the Senate and then the House, and eventual signing or veto by the governor).

Effective date: Not specified in the summary. Delaware bills typically specify an effective date, which could be upon enactment or a later date.

Practical implications to watch

Clarification or expansion of PSC authority could influence rate cases, infrastructure investments, and consumer protections.

If the bill introduces new reporting, transparency, or performance standards, affected utilities may need to adjust compliance systems.

Any changes to appointment terms or governance could affect PSC independence and decision-making processes.

Note: The available information provides a high-level outline based on the bill’s title and status. For a precise understanding of the exact statutory changes, text of the bill and any committee summaries or fiscal notes would be required.