THE OFFICIAL GENERAL FUND REVENUE ESTIMATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Darius Brown and 9 co-sponsors

Establishes the official General Fund revenue forecast for FY2027 to guide Delaware’s budgeting and appropriations decisions.

Passed By House. Votes: 41 YES

Summary of Bill: SJR 22 (Session 153, Delaware)

Purpose and Intent

SJR 22 is a joint resolution aimed at establishing the official General Fund revenue estimate for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) for the State of Delaware.

The resolution provides an official forecast/estimate to guide annual budgeting, spending plans, and appropriations decisions by state government.

Key Provisions and Changes

Official Revenue Estimate: Adopts a formal General Fund revenue projection for FY2027. This serves as the benchmark for the state’s operating budget.

Authority and Use: The estimate informs the Governor’s proposed budget, legislative appropriations, and fiscal planning across executive and legislative branches.

Contingencies and Assumptions: Typically, such resolutions specify baseline assumptions (e.g., growth rates, macroeconomic conditions) and may note uncertainties or scenarios if the actual revenues diverge from the forecast. The bill text would outline the methodology or sources used to derive the estimate (e.g., consensus with the Department of Finance or independent fiscal office).

Non-Budgetary Provisions: As a Joint Resolution, it generally does not create new taxes or direct spending beyond establishing the revenue forecast. It may reaffirm fiscal governance practices and planning horizons.

Who or What Is Affected

State Government: Budget offices, the Governor, the General Assembly, and all state agencies that rely on General Fund appropriations.

Fiscal Planning Stakeholders: Taxpayers and residents indirectly affected through the budgeting process, since the forecast shapes funding levels for public services (education, public safety, health, transportation, etc.).

Legislative Proceedings: Provides a formal, official metric used in the FY2027 annual budgeting cycle.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduction and Action: Introduced in the Senate on June 30, 2026.

Consideration: The bill underwent a “Suspension of Rules” vote in the Senate on the same day, a mechanism often used to accelerate passage or bypass certain procedural steps.

Passage: Reported as passed by the Senate with a vote of 20 YeS and 1 Absent on June 30, 2026.

Sponsors: The bill has multiple co-sponsors, indicating broad jurisdictional support across the Legislature. Notable co-sponsors include Frank Cooke, Dave Lawson, Charles Postles, Nicole Poore, Trey Paradee, Brian Pettyjohn, Darius Brown, Danny Short, Laura Sturgeon, and Melanie Ross Levin.

Practical Implications

Fiscal Planning Foundation: By setting the official General Fund revenue estimate for FY2027, the bill provides a mandated reference point for the upcoming budget deliberations and fiscal planning processes.

Stability and Transparency: Establishing a formal forecast can enhance transparency and consistency in how revenues are projected and used to fund state services.

Sensitivity to Economic Changes: If actual revenues differ from the estimate, adjustments may be needed in subsequent budget revisions or appropriations, depending on statutory mechanisms and negotiations.

Note: The summary focuses on the bill’s stated purpose and typical effects of establishing an official revenue forecast. The exact numerical revenue figures, methodology, and any attached fiscal notes would be contained in the bill’s text and accompanying fiscal impact documents.