HB 216: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO ELECTION CAMPAIGNS AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURES.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

This Act expands Delaware’s campaign finance disclosure requirements to provide more transparency regarding the source of funding for contributions to and expenditures made from political committees in the State. To that end this Act does the following: 1. Requires out-of-state committees that contribute more than $2,000 to a Delaware election (exempting contributions to candidates and political parties) to register with the State Election Commissioner (Commissioner). 2. Requires political committees to list any affiliated controlling entities on its statement of registration. 3. Increases the disclosure requirements to be placed on third-party advertisements by requiring the advertisement to display, if applicable, the name of a majority owner of the third-party advertiser, the responsible party, affiliated controlling entities, and the 5 persons who made the 5 largest aggregate transfers to the entity in the last 12 months. 4. Requires third-party advertisers to display a link to a website that lists all contributions to the third-party advertisement in excess of $100. Any contribution that is greater than $100 that is not from an individual must also include information on the contribution’s underlying funding source. 4. Prohibits all reports filed with the Commissioner from containing a negative balance so that the source of all funds are disclosed, including any loans. Substitute 1 to HB 216 makes the following changes: 1. Prohibits a foreign national or foreign-controlled entity from making a contribution, expenditure, independent expenditure, or electioneering communication in connection with any state or local election in the State. 2. Requires that all campaign finance reports disclose specific information about advertisements, including the name of the vendor or platform used, the medium used, a description of the advertisement, and the target audience. 3. Replaces the current link to the Election Commissioner’s website on third-party advertisements with a website to be “determined” by the Election Commissioner. 4. Requires that third-party party advertisements display the state of residence, incorporation, or registration of all persons disclosed on the advertisement itself and on the linked website containing additional disclosures. 5. Updates definitions to include modern modes of communication. 6. Changes the implementation date to July 1, 2028. 7. Makes technical changes to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 9 · Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 21, 2026Amendment HA 1 to HS 1 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
2. May 14, 2026Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House
3. May 6, 2026Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in House with 2 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
4. April 30, 2026Adopted in lieu of the original bill HB 216, and Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in House