Delaware legislation · 153rd General Assembly
Delaware HB258: Liquor Stores/Ordinance Rules/Restrictions
Status: Signed into law, July 23, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LICENSES FOR SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
What the bill says
An act to amend title 4 of the delaware code relating to licenses for sale of alcoholic beverages.
From the introduced text, January 8, 2026:
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO LICENSES FOR SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Section 1. Amend § 543, Title 4 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as transfer or extension of premises. (k)(1) A municipality with a population of 50,000 or more may, by ordinance, promulgate rules for the location of any new establishment licensed to sell alcoholic liquor for consumption off of the premises that are more restrictive than those set forth in this section. (2) The Commissioner shall refuse to grant a license for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption off of the premises that does not comply with a municipal ordinance promulgated pursuant to paragraph (k)(1) of this section. SYNOPSIS This Act allows any municipality with a population of 50,000 or more to establish by ordinance rules for the location of liquor stores that are more restrictive than state law, and requires the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner to refuse a license for any new establishment that does not comply with those rules.
Sponsors
- Stephanie Bolden (D, 2) · primary sponsor
- Darius Brown (D, 2)
- Kendra Johnson (D, 5)
- Krista Griffith (D, 12)
- Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D, 1)
- Franklin Cooke (D, 16)
- Josue Ortega (D, 3)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
- : Reported Out of Committee (Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology) in Senate with 3 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
- : Assigned to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee in Senate
- : Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 3 ABSENT
- : Reported Out of Committee (Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce) in House with 11 On Its Merits
- : Introduced and Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House
Votes
- Passed (2/3) (June 17, 2026): 21 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Passed (SM) (March 19, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB258?
- HB258 is a bill in the Delaware Legislature (153rd General Assembly): Liquor Stores/Ordinance Rules/Restrictions.
- What does HB258 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend title 4 of the delaware code relating to licenses for sale of alcoholic beverages.
- What is the status of HB258?
- Signed into law as of July 23, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (July 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB258?
- Stephanie Bolden (D, 2), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB258?
- On the Delaware Legislature website: https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142744
Source: official Delaware record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.