Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
HB 215: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCT TAXATION AND LICENSING.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 215 is a bill introduced in the Delaware House on April 17, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCT TAXATION AND LICENSING. Primary sponsor: Melissa Minor-Brown (Democratic), Kerri Harris (Democratic), Ed Osienski (Democratic), Dave Sokola (Democratic), Bryan Townsend (Democratic), Tizzy Lockman (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (April 22, 2026): Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 3 On Its Merits.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill No. 215 differs from House Bill No. 215 as follows: this substitute provides a definition of a premium cigar and modifies the tax rate changes in House Bill 215 by setting the tax rate for other tobacco products at 40% of the wholesale price, maintaining the tax for premium cigars at 30% of the wholesale price, and setting the tax rate for vapor products at 10 cents per fluid milliliter. A definition of “nicotine pouch” is added. As with House Bill 215, House Substitute No.1 increases the cigarette tax rate to $3.60 per pack, increases some license fees, and changes the definition of “tobacco products” to include more items. This substitute bill sets the effective date of the tax rate increases as September 1, 2026, and the effective date of the increased license fees as January 1, 2027. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 10 of Article VIII of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to increase the effective rate of a tax or fee levied by the State.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 6
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Minor-Brown | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 17 |
| Kerri Harris | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 32 |
| Ed Osienski | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 24 |
| Dave Sokola | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 8 |
| Bryan Townsend | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 11 |
| Tizzy Lockman | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 3 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 3 On Its Merits
- Adopted in lieu of the original bill HB 215, and Assigned to Administration Committee in House