Eric Buckson represents the 16th District in the Delaware State Senate; he was first elected in 2022 and is serving his second term.[1]
Buckson is a lifelong resident of Kent County and a retired educator in the Polytech School District.[1]Before the Senate he served as a commissioner on the Kent County Levy Court.[1]Buckson graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in 1983 and the University of Delaware in 1988, and earned a master's degree in Sport Management in 1990.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
›Rights & public safety12 with · 1 against13 votes
This Act makes security expenses an authorized campaign expenditure. The security expenses must be: (1) related to ensuring the safety of the candidate; and (2) associated with the candidate’s activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected official. Security expenses include home or office electronic security systems, personal security, and other security-related equipment or devices for a candidate. Security expenses may not be used to purchase firearms. This Act requires that the Commissioner promulgate rules to implement this Act within 3 months.
This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 300. Like SB 300, this Act requires firearm dealers to obtain a state license to sell or transfer firearms under Chapter 9B instead of the license to sell deadly weapons under Chapter 9 of Title 24. Like SB 300, this Act does all of the following: -Establishes in statute factors that make a person ineligible to obtain a state license to sell or transfer firearms or to serve as a responsible person for a state license holder (licensee). -Heightens and adds more specific security requirements.
This Act repeals Subchapter X of Title 11 which established the Delaware Sentencing Accountability Commission (Commission) and recodifies the Commission under Chapter 89A of Title 11. This Act modernizes the Commission’s mission, establishes the membership of the Commission, codifies the Commission’s overall power and authority, and creates a duty for the Commission to provide a data report annually.
This Act excludes large energy use facilities from the definition of a qualified facility for purposes of determining eligibility for a tax credit or license fee reduction for the creation of employment and qualified investment in business facilities.
This Act fosters the humane treatment of animals and prevents animal cruelty by prohibiting retail pet stores from selling dogs or cats. It further authorizes retail pet stores to collaborate with animal shelters and animal rescue organizations to offer space to showcase dogs or cats for adoption. The Office of Animal Welfare will be responsible for enforcing this Act. Retailers will receive a civil penalty of no more than $500 for each prohibited sale. This Act takes effect 6 months after its enactment into law.
Under current Delaware law, if a labor dispute constitutes a lockout, employees who meet all other eligibility requirements qualify for unemployment benefits from the date they file their claim. However, if a labor dispute does not constitute a lockout, employees do not qualify for (i.e. are disqualified from receiving) unemployment benefits.
Jan 13, 2026 · Passed 16–5 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
This Act updates the fine structure for violations of the State Nutrient Management Program. Under this Act, the Commission may impose a fine of not less than $125 nor more than $5,000 for each violation. The current fine may be not less than $25 nor more than $1,000 for each violation.
This Act fosters the humane treatment of animals and prevents animal cruelty by prohibiting retail pet stores from selling dogs or cats. It further authorizes retail pet stores to collaborate with animal shelters and animal rescue organizations to offer space to showcase dogs or cats for adoption. The Office of Animal Welfare will be responsible for enforcing this Act. Retailers will receive a civil penalty of no more than $500 for each prohibited sale. This Act takes effect 6 months after its enactment into law.
This Act updates the electric vehicle rebate program administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control in light of changes to federal policies and market forces affecting electric vehicle deployment. The bill provides the Department with additional flexibility to set rebate amounts and improve programmatic offerings. The bill also allows enhanced rebates for an eventual program targeting lower income families.
This Act does all of the following: (1) Establishes a regulatory framework for substance use harm reduction programs that provides immunities for program providers and staff. (2) Modifies the definition of drug paraphernalia. (3) Decriminalizes possession of paraphernalia for individuals who use drugs, while retaining prohibitions for paraphernalia used in the manufacturing or distribution of drugs and the selling of certain drug paraphernalia. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
This Act sets forth requirements and restrictions for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of THC-infused beverages in this State. This Act allows manufacturers to operate in Delaware with authorization, and sets forth manufacturing and product requirements. Out-of-state and in-state manufacturers must deliver their infused beverages to licensed importers, who must comply with notice and testing requirements before the infused beverages can be transported from an importer’s warehouse to package stores for sale, and must keep detailed records of their shipments.
This Act allows tenants who are being evicted for failure to pay rent to remain in their homes if they pay all amounts owed prior to being evicted. It also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Drafting Manual. This Substitute differs from the original Act by incorporating the changes from Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill No. 116 which includes the following changes: - Increased the time from 12 to 24 months for the lookback period for restricting the number of times the right of redemption is available to a tenant.
Jul 1, 2026 · Passed 16–4 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Although the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association is a unit of the Department of Education, officials are currently allowed to serve without completing background checks before serving. This Act provides that in the event an official for the DIAA is not an individual required to undergo a background check under the law that requires employees, contractors, and volunteers of the Department of Education to meet certain background check requirements, the DIAA must promulgate regulations requiring background checks of officials that meet the same requirements as those for employees,…
This Act amends the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act (DPDPA), Chapter 12D of Title 6, originally enacted in 2023, to more closely align the DPDPA with similar consumer data protection laws enacted in other states. This Act amends the applicability threshold of the DPDPA to entities who process the personal data of not less than 15,000 consumers, which on a population percentage basis closely aligns to thresholds in Connecticut and New Jersey.
This Act updates the electric vehicle rebate program administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control in light of changes to federal policies and market forces affecting electric vehicle deployment. The bill provides the Department with additional flexibility to set rebate amounts and improve programmatic offerings. The bill also allows enhanced rebates for an eventual program targeting lower income families.
Voted against most of their party on 3 of 19 party-divided votes on file.
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 15 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
What it does: This Act clarifies and streamlines the disclosure and enforcement provisions of Delaware’s campaign finance laws. Among other things, this Act does the following: (1) Requires a political committee to submit written d…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 15–0, Republicans 1–5
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.
What it does: This Act allows tenants who are being evicted for failure to pay rent to remain in their homes if they pay all amounts owed prior to being evicted. It also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the st…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 15–0, Republicans 1–4
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.
What it does: Under current Delaware law, if a labor dispute constitutes a lockout, employees who meet all other eligibility requirements qualify for unemployment benefits from the date they file their claim. However, if a labor di…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 15–0, Republicans 1–5
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
HB 448 · DE SENATE
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CAMPAIGN EXPENDITURES.
NoVOTED
Motion: SM
This Act makes security expenses an authorized campaign expenditure. The security expenses must be: (1) related to ensuring the safety of the candidate; and (2) associated with the candidate’s activities, duties, or status as a candidate or elected official. Security expenses include home or office electronic security systems, personal security, and other security-related equipment or devices for a candidate. Security expenses may not be used to purchase firearms. This Act requires that the Commissioner promulgate rules to implement this Act within 3 months.
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 15 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
YesVOTED
Motion: SM
This Act clarifies and streamlines the disclosure and enforcement provisions of Delaware’s campaign finance laws. Among other things, this Act does the following: (1) Requires a political committee to submit written documentation of all loans provided to the committee and requires that proceeds of a loan are deposited into the committee’s account within 3 business days. (2) Prohibits candidates from charging interest on personal loans to a candidate committee. (3) Requires political committees to retain records for 5 years, rather than 3 years.
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO REVERSE LOCATION AND REVERSE KEYWORD SEARCHES AND COURT ORDERS.
PresentRECORDED
Motion: SM
Reverse-keyword court orders enable the government to obtain technology search data without identifying any specific person as to which there is probable cause to believe they have committed or will imminently commit a crime. The profusion of electronic devices and apps in recent years has allowed recordation of numerous details of citizen’s everyday lives, that the government should not be permitted to collect and review at will.
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO OFFENSES INVOLVING DEADLY WEAPONS AND DANGEROUS INSTRUMENTS.
YesVOTED
Motion: SM
This substitute bill allows target practicing with a BB gun, projectile weapon, or firearm by a 16 or 17 year old without direct supervision of a person age 21 or above provided the 16 or 17 year old has permission of a parent or guardian and the 16 or 17 year old has completed a hunter education course. Additionally, a 16 or 17 year old is allowed to hunt without direct supervision if they are in possession of a valid Delaware hunting license.
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 AND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA.
YesVOTED
Motion: 3/5
This Act sets forth requirements and restrictions for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of THC-infused beverages in this State. This Act allows manufacturers to operate in Delaware with authorization, and sets forth manufacturing and product requirements. Out-of-state and in-state manufacturers must deliver their infused beverages to licensed importers, who must comply with notice and testing requirements before the infused beverages can be transported from an importer’s warehouse to package stores for sale, and must keep detailed records of their shipments.
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FIREARMS.
NoVOTED
Motion: SM
This Act serves to clean up Delaware’s ghost gun law to address issues raised in ongoing litigation. This Act primarily creates a clear path for individuals who legally possessed unserialized firearms prior to the law’s enactment to come into compliance, either by having them serialized through a federally licensed dealer or rendering them permanently inoperable. This Act also clarifies definitions and aligns the law with federal serialization standards, while preserving the underlying prohibition on untraceable firearms.
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO RIGHT OF REDEMPTION.
YesVOTED
Motion: SM
This Act allows tenants who are being evicted for failure to pay rent to remain in their homes if they pay all amounts owed prior to being evicted. It also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Drafting Manual. This Substitute differs from the original Act by incorporating the changes from Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill No. 116 which includes the following changes: - Increased the time from 12 to 24 months for the lookback period for restricting the number of times the right of redemption is available to a tenant.
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AND BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR CHILD-SERVING ENTITIES.
NoVOTED
Motion: SM
Although the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association is a unit of the Department of Education, officials are currently allowed to serve without completing background checks before serving. This Act provides that in the event an official for the DIAA is not an individual required to undergo a background check under the law that requires employees, contractors, and volunteers of the Department of Education to meet certain background check requirements, the DIAA must promulgate regulations requiring background checks of officials that meet the same requirements as those for employees,…
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL TAXES.
PresentRECORDED
Motion: SM
In 2025, the General Assembly passed House Bill No. 242 (now found at Chapter 135, Volume 85 of the Laws of Delaware), allowing school districts located entirely in New Castle County to use different tax rates for residential and non-residential properties. This Act amends the Delaware Code to continue the authority for non-vocational technical school districts in New Castle County to utilize a residential and non-residential tax rate for school tax purposes. Such a split rate may be established or adjusted in the year after a general reassessment or as part of a referendum.
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11, TITLE 16, AND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DEADLY WEAPONS DEALERS.
NoVOTED
Motion: 3/5
This Act is a substitute for Senate Bill No. 300. Like SB 300, this Act requires firearm dealers to obtain a state license to sell or transfer firearms under Chapter 9B instead of the license to sell deadly weapons under Chapter 9 of Title 24. Like SB 300, this Act does all of the following: -Establishes in statute factors that make a person ineligible to obtain a state license to sell or transfer firearms or to serve as a responsible person for a state license holder (licensee). -Heightens and adds more specific security requirements.
