Delaware Constitutional Amendment - Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Rights
Summary
The Delaware State Senate passed SB212 on April 2, 2026, proposing a constitutional amendment to Article I of the Delaware Constitution that would establish hunting, fishing, and trapping as constitutionally protected rights. The bill was sponsored by Senators Wilson, Carson, Spiegelman, Buckson, Hocker, Hoffner, and Pettyjohn along with Representatives Berry, Hilovsky, Osienski, Short, and Yearick, and was referred to the Executive Committee.
What changed
The Delaware Senate passed SB212, a proposed constitutional amendment to Article I of the Delaware Constitution. The amendment would constitutionally protect the rights to hunt, fish, and trap wildlife. This represents a significant policy change that elevates these activities to constitutionally protected status, potentially limiting future regulatory restrictions on hunting, fishing, and trapping practices.
Hunting, fishing, and trapping organizations should monitor the bill's progress through the Delaware House and potential voter referendum. If ratified, the amendment would provide constitutional protection for these activities against regulatory challenges. Environmental and wildlife management agencies may face additional constraints when developing regulations affecting these traditional outdoor activities.
What to do next
- Monitor SB212 progress through Delaware House of Representatives
- Track potential voter referendum dates if amendment advances
- Review current hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations for potential constitutional challenges
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Delaware / SB212 Passed SB212 Senate Bill Passed 2026-04-02
An Act Proposing An Amendment To Article I Of The Delaware Constitution Relating To Hunting, Fishing, And Trapping Wildlife.
Bill Details
State Delaware
Session 153rd General Assembly
Chamber Senate
Committee Executive
Official Source legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationI...
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Sponsors
David Wilson (Sen - R) William Carson (Rep - D) Jeffrey Spiegelman (Rep - R) Eric Buckson (Sen - R) Gerald Hocker (Sen - R) Kyra Hoffner (Sen - D) Brian Pettyjohn (Sen - R) Alonna Berry (Rep - D) Jeff Hilovsky (Rep - R) Edward Osienski (Rep - D) Daniel Short (Rep - R) Lyndon Yearick (Rep - R)
Action History
2026-04-02 S Adopted in lieu of the original bill SB 212, and Assigned to Executive Committee in Senate
Committee Referrals
2026-04-02 S Executive
Bill Text Versions
0000-00-00 Draft 0000-00-00 Draft Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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