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HB 257

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 11 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO STATE PENSIONS AND CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Kerri Harris and 2 co-sponsors

The bill provides a one-time, nonrecurring General Fund appropriation totaling $176,409,810 for capital, infrastructure, public-safety, and community projects in Hoke and Scotland

Introduced and Assigned to Administration Committee in House
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Bill Summary · HB 257

HB 257 — Funds for Scotland & Hoke Projects (First Edition)

Status: Passed 1st Reading (House); introduced and considered in 2025 session.
Effective date (per bill): July 1, 2025.
Purpose: One-time General Fund appropriations (directed grants) to support specified capital, infrastructure, public-safety, and community projects in Hoke County, Scotland County, the City of Laurinburg and several small towns, plus a repair grant to St. Andrews University.

Key provisions and dollar amounts

All amounts are nonrecurring funds for FY 2025–2026 and are appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) to be distributed as directed grants:

  • Hoke County — $54,000,000 total, allocated as:

    • $11,000,000 — water and sewer needs
    • $10,000,000 — courthouse construction overages
    • $10,000,000 — new sheriff’s office / law enforcement center
    • $10,000,000 — workforce training center (Sandhills Community College)
    • $5,000,000 — new social services building
    • $5,000,000 — new mental health / rehabilitation facility
    • $3,000,000 — capital improvements for volunteer fire departments

  • Scotland County — $83,200,000 total, allocated as:

    • $80,000,000 — construction of a new courthouse and jail facility
    • $1,000,000 — Parks & Recreation splash pad upgrade
    • $1,000,000 — various public capital improvements
    • $1,200,000 — EMS/fire substation in the Town of Wagram

  • City of Laurinburg — $33,000,000 total, allocated as:

    • $4,000,000 — Main Street restoration
    • $29,000,000 — water/wastewater capital projects

  • Town of Gibson — $24,810 total, allocated as:

    • $15,985 — replacement pump at lagoon station
    • $8,825 — additional lagoon repairs

  • Town of Wagram — $185,000 total, allocated as:

    • $30,000 — new water meters
    • $125,000 — tree root removal and pothole repairs
    • $30,000 — fence at maintenance shop

  • St. Andrews University — $6,000,000 for repairs to the Belk Center (hurricane damage)

Total one‑time appropriation across all recipients: $176,409,810.

Who is affected

  • Local governments and public service providers in Hoke and Scotland counties (county governments, towns, City of Laurinburg).
  • Sandhills Community College (workforce center project), St. Andrews University (Belk Center repairs).
  • Local public-safety entities (sheriff’s office, EMS, volunteer fire departments), parks and recreation, water/wastewater utilities, and social/mental‑health service providers.
  • Residents and businesses in the funded jurisdictions who may benefit from improved infrastructure, public safety, and workforce training capacity.

Implementation and timeline

  • Funds are nonrecurring (one-time) for the 2025–2026 fiscal year and are to be administered/disbursed by OSBM as directed grants.
  • Bill specifies uses by project category; disbursement procedures and oversight would follow state appropriations and OSBM practices.
  • Effective date specified in the bill: July 1, 2025.

Fiscal and policy notes (implications)

  • Immediate state General Fund impact: a one-time outlay of $176.41 million in FY 2025–26.
  • Intended local impact: capital investment in infrastructure, public safety, and community facilities that could support economic activity, public health and safety, and workforce development.
  • The appropriation is nonrecurring, so ongoing operating or maintenance costs resulting from projects are not funded by this bill and would be the responsibility of local entities unless otherwise addressed later.

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

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