DOVER—Lawmakers continued their support for legislation that would bring financial relief to Delawareans who are experiencing the effects of inflation.

House Bill 360, or the 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate Program, made it out of the Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday as all six committee members voted on its merits. The bill would create a relief rebate that would pay out $300 to every Delaware taxpayer. The rebate intends on financially supporting Delawareans who are experiencing the financial stress caused by inflation and was agreed to by the leaders of each of the four party caucuses.

Residents who filed a 2020 income tax return would be eligible for the $300 payment without taking any action, and over 600,000 residents are expected to receive the rebate. The bill would authorize these payments which are to be distributed within six weeks after the bill is signed into law.

The 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate Program would cost more than $180 million for qualified residents and lawmakers have prompted a $50 million appropriation from 2023 fiscal year funds to pay the estimated 150,000 eligible residents that did not file state income taxes in 2020.

The bill will now be heard in the Senate Chamber, and should the bill pass, Governor John Carney will have the opportunity to sign the 2022 Delaware Relief Rebate Program into effect.