AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 7 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HUNTING, TRAPPING, GAME ANIMALS, GAME BIRDS, DEER, AND PROTECTED WILDLIFE.
Summary
This Substitute is different from the original bill in that it adds the activities of fishing, crabbing and clamming as requiring a license consistent with line 18 already in the code. The substitute also clarifies in section 2 that dogs may be used for tracking or recovering a wounded or dead deer that was lawfully shot during open deer season. Section 1 of this Act closes a loophole that allows hunters and trappers who are exempt from obtaining a Delaware hunting or trapping license to avoid completing a Department-approved hunting or trapping education program. Although many exempt hunters and trappers already complete these programs, this legislation codifies the requirement. This Act also updates and clarifies the statutory language governing administration of drugs to wildlife. Section 2 of this Act adds language to expressly permit the sale of taxidermy and antlers from lawfully taken deer. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform with the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2026
Committee Review
Jun 2026
House Passage
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jul 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced May 21, 2026
Signed Jul 23, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Jul 1, 2026 · House Jun 11, 2026
How they voted
20–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 21
Jul 1, 2026
D
Democratic15
100% Yea
R
Republican6
83% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
4
Committee
1
Jul 23, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor
executive
Jul 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT
upper
Jun 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
upper
Jun 11, 2026
Introduced
Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate
upper
Jun 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT
lower
May 21, 2026
Introduced
was introduced and adopted in lieu of HB 412
lower
3 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bill Carson
DDemocratic
P
Brian Pettyjohn
RRepublican
P
Bryan Townsend
DDemocratic
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