SB 259 DE
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 9 AND TITLE 22 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.
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Summary
This bill modifies Delaware's requirements for emergency communication systems in buildings, specifically regarding bi-directional amplifiers (BDAs) that maintain 800 MHz public safety radio communications inside buildings. The bill addresses a loophole where buildings that are modified or renovated to exceed 25,000 square feet are not required to meet the same communication coverage standards as new buildings, which has raised concerns when contractors substantially rebuild structures while retaining one exterior wall. The bill also removes obsolete language regarding an advisor committee and eliminates the requirement that the Department of Safety and Homeland Security publish a map of buildings with emergency communication technologies due to safety concerns.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill (from the OpenStates abstract — no full text available yet) — neutral, and may be imperfect.
Official abstract
This Act proposes modifications to the in-building regulations regarding bi-directional amplifiers (BDAs). Currently, buildings that are modified or renovated to exceed 25,000 square feet are not required to meet the GAT (Grid Acceptance Test) at 95% compliance for 800 MHz public safety in-building communications coverage, as is required for new buildings. In some cases, contractors are tearing down all but one exterior wall and rebuilding which has drawn concern from Division of Communications. The BDA helps to maintain quality in-building communications and to prevent “dead zone” areas so emergency public safety personnel can communicate during a response to an emergency situation. This Act also removes language pertaining to an advisor committee that is no longer needed. The Act also removes the requirement that the Department of Safety and Homeland Security publish a map of buildings with these communication technologies due to safety concerns.
Sponsors (4)
- Nicole Poore Democratic · primary
- Franklin D. Cooke Democratic · primary
- John "Jack" Walsh Democratic · primary
- David L. Wilson Republican · primary
Action history (9)
- Mar 17, 2026 Introduced and Assigned to Corrections & Public Safety Committee in Senate · upper
- Apr 22, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Corrections & Public Safety) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits · upper
- Apr 30, 2026 Amendment SA 1 to SB 259 - Introduced and Placed With Bill · upper
- May 5, 2026 Amendment SA 1 to SB 259 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES · upper
- May 5, 2026 Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES · upper
- May 6, 2026 Assigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House · lower
- May 19, 2026 Reported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 6 On Its Merits · lower
- Jun 16, 2026 Passed By House. Votes: 37 YES 1 NO 3 ABSENT · lower
- Jun 24, 2026 Signed by Governor · executive
Full text
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