Delaware · House Bill 431 · 152nd General Assembly

Live Bait/DNREC/Determine Species

  1. Introduced Jun 6, 2024
  2. In committee Jun 6, 2024
  3. Passed the House Jun 18, 2024
  4. Passed the Senate Jun 30, 2024
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law Nov 1, 2024

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

A major environmental concern is the spread of pathogens and invasive species across water bodies. The use of live bait in both non-tidal and tidal waters can inadvertently result in the transfer of invasive species and pathogens to new waters. Freshwater ecosystems are particularly susceptible to invasive species spreading disease and destroying Delaware’s native species and freshwater habitats. This Act requires…

Read the full title (167 words)

A major environmental concern is the spread of pathogens and invasive species across water bodies. The use of live bait in both non-tidal and tidal waters can inadvertently result in the transfer of invasive species and pathogens to new waters. Freshwater ecosystems are particularly susceptible to invasive species spreading disease and destroying Delaware’s native species and freshwater habitats. This Act requires the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, through regulations, to determine which species of live bait may be harvested, imported, transported, sold, or used, in the tidal and non-tidal waters of the State. This Act requires the Department to post all such promulgated regulations on the Department’s website. This Act also permits the Department, by regulation, to prohibit or restrict the importation or sale of live bait species from other states or countries. This Act is to be implemented the earlier of 6 months after enactment or notice by the Secretary of the Department to the Register of Regulations that final regulations have been adopted.

Every action

9 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

  1. CommitteeIntroduced and Assigned to Natural Resources & Energy Committee in House · House Natural Resources & Energy
  2. CommitteeReported Out of Committee (Natural Resources & Energy) in House with 3 Favorable, 6 On Its Merits · House Natural Resources & Energy
  3. HouseAmendment HA 1 to HB 431 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
  4. HouseAmendment HA 1 to HB 431 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
  5. HousePassed By House. Votes: 41 YES41–0 vote
  6. CommitteeAssigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate · Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation
  7. CommitteeReported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 5 On Its Merits · Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation
  8. SenatePassed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES21–0 vote
  9. GovernorSigned by Governor

Roll calls

2 recorded votes: 2 on the floor, 0 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 8 cosponsors: 7 Democrats, 1 Republican.

All 8 cosponsors

From Delaware's official records (legis.delaware.gov), checked Nov 1, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.