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HB 117

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 3 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LEASES OF STATE-OWNED LAND.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Darius Brown and 8 co-sponsors

HB 117 modifies Delaware's state agricultural land lease requirements, passing the House with broad support and advancing through Senate committee review.

Reported Out of Committee (Agriculture) in Senate with 5 Favorable
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Bill Summary · HB 117

Legislative bill overview

HB 117 amends Delaware's agricultural lease laws governing state-owned land to modify terms, conditions, or procedural requirements for farming operations leasing public property. The bill passed the House with strong support (34-0 with 7 absent) after a minor amendment and was favorably reported from the Senate Agriculture Committee in June 2025.

Why is this important

State-owned agricultural land leases directly affect Delaware farmers' access to productive acreage and operational costs, while the lease terms impact state revenue and land stewardship practices. Changes to these regulations can influence farm viability, property management efficiency, and agricultural industry competitiveness in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Lease term length and renewal provisions – Longer or more favorable terms for lessees could reduce state revenue, while stricter terms might burden small farmers with uncertainty
  • Rent pricing mechanisms – Changes to how lease rates are calculated may disadvantage either the state (if rates are too low) or farmers (if rates increase significantly)
  • Environmental and stewardship requirements – New or relaxed conservation conditions could affect soil health and land sustainability versus farmer operational flexibility and profitability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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