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HB 373

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 AND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Debra Heffernan and 5 co-sponsors

HB 373 seeks to revise Delaware laws governing alcohol and marijuana, adjusting licensing, regulation, and safety standards for related industries.

Passed By House. Votes: 38 YES 2 NO 1 NOT VOTING
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Bill Summary · HB 373

Summary of HB 373 (Delaware, Session 153)

Overview

HB 373 is an introduced bill in the Delaware House of Representatives titled “AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 AND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA.” The bill was introduced on April 21, 2026, and assigned to the Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee. It has a bipartisan group of co-sponsors, including Ed Osienski, Stell Selby, Debra Heffernan, Mike Smith, Ray Seigfried, and Melanie Ross Levin.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to modify Delaware law governing alcohol and marijuana. While the exact text of the amendments is not provided in the summary, the title indicates changes to regulatory frameworks within Titles 4 (Alcoholic Liquor) and 16 (Marijuana) of the Delaware Code.
  • Typically, such Bills seek to adjust licensing processes, regulatory authority, taxation, enforcement, or public health/safety provisions related to alcohol and cannabis.

Key Provisions and Changes (Expected Areas Based on Title Scope)

Note: The following items describe common policy changes associated with amendments to alcohol and marijuana statutes. The precise provisions would be stated in the bill’s text.

  • Alcohol (Title 4) Provisions:

    • Changes to licensing requirements for liquor retailers, on-premises establishments (bars/restaurants), or wholesalers.
    • Adjustments to hours of sale, permissible activities, or server/employee training requirements.
    • Revisions to enforcement powers or penalties for violations (e.g., fines, suspensions, revocations).
    • Potential updates to state oversight or local-option considerations for alcohol distribution and sales.

  • Marijuana (Title 16) Provisions:

    • Modifications to adult-use and/or medical cannabis regulatory framework (licensing, cultivation, processing, and dispensing).
    • Changes to eligibility, background checks, or professional/permit requirements for licensees.
    • Adjustments to taxation, regulatory compliance, testing, labeling, and product safety standards.
    • Updates to local control or zoning provisions affecting cannabis businesses.
    • Provisions related to public health, youth access protections, and advertising restrictions.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Administrative Agencies: State agencies responsible for alcohol and cannabis regulation would implement the amended rules.
  • Licensees and Applicants: Businesses involved in alcohol production, distribution, and sale; and cannabis producers, processors, distributors, and retailers would be directly impacted by licensing, reporting, and compliance changes.
  • Public and Consumers: Changes may affect product availability, pricing, consumer protections, and public safety considerations.
  • Local Governments: If the bill includes local option provisions or compliance requirements, municipalities and counties could be affected.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction and Assignment: The bill was introduced and assigned to the Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee on April 21, 2026.
  • Committee Process: As with typical Delaware legislative procedure, the bill would undergo committee hearings, potential amendments, and votes before advancing to the full House for consideration.
  • Effective Dates: Any enacted provisions would specify effective dates, transition periods for licenses or regulatory changes, and whether there are phased implementations.

Additional Notes

  • The bill has six named co-sponsors, indicating cross-party or cross-committee interest in updating alcohol and marijuana statutes.
  • Without the full text, exact dollar amounts, percentages, dates, or specific regulatory changes cannot be stated. The summary reflects the bill’s scope as indicated by its title and introductory status.

If you’d like, I can incorporate the full bill text once available to provide a more detailed, line-by-line breakdown of provisions, effective dates, and impact assessments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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