HB144 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX RATES.

Children Taxes

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Minor-Brown
Last action: 2025-07-30
Official status: Lieu/Substituted 6/12/25
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the City Council will decide new tax rates or the exact implications for city finances.

Changing Property Tax Rates in New Castle

This act changes how the city of New Castle can set property tax rates by allowing different rates for different types of properties.

What This Bill Does

Allows the City Council to levy taxes on real property at varying rates based upon property classification.

Who It Names or Affects

The City of New Castle
Property owners within the city

Terms To Know

Charter: A document that outlines the basic laws and rules for a city or town.
Property classification: Categorizing property into types like residential, commercial, or industrial.

Limits and Unknowns

The exact rates for different property classifications are not set by this act.
It does not specify how the City Council will decide on new tax rates.

Bill History

2025-07-30 Delaware General Assembly
HS 1 for HB 144 - Signed by Governor
2025-06-25 Delaware General Assembly
HS 1 for HB 144 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
2025-06-18 Delaware General Assembly
HS 1 for HB 144 - Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 2 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
2025-06-17 Delaware General Assembly
HS 1 for HB 144 - Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
2025-06-17 Delaware General Assembly
HS 1 for HB 144 - Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate
2025-06-12 Delaware General Assembly
Substituted in House by HS 1 for HB 144
2025-05-14 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 5 On Its Merits
2025-05-08 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Administration Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX RATES.
This Act amends the Charter of the City of New Castle by authorizing the City Council to levy taxes on real property at varying rates based upon property classification (e.g. residential, commercial, or industrial).

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Minor-Brown & Sen. Poore

Rep. Cooke

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 144

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX RATES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Two-thirds of all members elected to each house thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend Section 18 of the Charter of the City of New Castle by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

Section 18. Budget

The Council shall, on or before the first Monday in each July, meet and ascertain, as near as may be, the amount necessary to cover the net expenses of the government of said City for the current fiscal year, including, but not limited to, the maintenance of streets, police assessment, collection of taxes and cost of trash collection; and shall make up a budget containing the items and estimated amounts necessary to cover each and every branch and item of said City government. And immediately after the assessment and valuation shall have been finally settled and adjusted under the provisions of this Act, the said Council shall proceed to levy a tax on the real property, thus valued and assessed,

in just and equal portions and rates,

sufficient to cover the aggregate of said budget.

SYNOPSIS

This Act amends the Charter of the City of New Castle by authorizing the City Council to levy taxes on real property at varying rates based upon property classification (e.g. residential, commercial, or industrial).