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HB398 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE TIME OF SALES FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE TIME OF SALES FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION.

Enacted

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

Sponsor
Last action
2026-05-14
Official status
Introduced and Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on the consequences for non-compliance or impacts on other businesses, so these points remain speculative.

Changing Alcohol Sales Time at Horse Tracks

This law changes when horse racetracks in Delaware can sell alcohol to people who are drinking it there.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows horse racetracks in Delaware to sell alcohol until 2:00 a.m. for people who drink it on the premises.
  • Removes the ability of local towns and cities to set earlier closing times for these racetracks when they sell alcohol.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Horse racetracks in Delaware that serve alcohol
  • People who drink alcohol at horse racetracks

Terms To Know

On-premise consumption
Drinking alcohol where it is sold, like at a bar or restaurant.
Municipality
A town or city with its own local government.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the consequences for horse racetracks that do not follow these new rules.
  • It is unclear how this will affect other businesses that sell alcohol in Delaware.

Bill History

  1. 2026-05-14 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 4 THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE TIME OF SALES FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION.
This Act allows Delaware horse racetracks to sell alcohol for on-premise consumption until 2:00 a.m. This Act also removes the power of municipalities to require closing time to be at an earlier time for horse racetracks that sell alcoholic liquor.