DELAWARE -A proposed bill that would have significantly increased fines on farmers under Delaware’s State Nutrient Management Program did not advance in the final legislative day for the General Assembly. The Delaware Senate Republican Caucus is calling it a win for the state's agricultural community.
House Bill 222, which sought to raise penalties on violations related to nutrient management—a program regulating the use of fertilizers and animal waste to protect water quality—was halted as part of a broader agreement related to the Bond Bill.
Senate Republican Leader Gerald Hocker (R–Ocean View) said the outcome was the result of sustained advocacy for Delaware’s farmers and a pushback against what he described as external environmental pressures.“These agreements are the result of standing firm for local control, protecting the integrity of our courts, and fighting for Delaware’s farmers."
The state GOP had warned that the bill would place significant financial burdens on farming operations already facing economic challenges.