Delaware · 153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) · Bill
HB 34: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NEWARK AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF NEWARK TO LEVY A TAX ON COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWARK.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 34 is a bill introduced in the Delaware House on January 9, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: AN ACT TO AMEND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF NEWARK AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF NEWARK TO LEVY A TAX ON COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WITHIN THE CITY OF NEWARK. Primary sponsor: Cyndie Romer (Democratic), Mara Gorman (Democratic), Ed Osienski (Democratic), Dave Sokola (Democratic). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (June 24, 2025): Signed by Governor.
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.
This Act amends the Newark Charter by authorizing the City of Newark to levy and collect a per student, per semester tax on Colleges and Universities that host in person classes which are located within the boundaries of the City of Newark. This tax applies to all colleges and universities including any organizations that are considered subdivisions or agencies of the State of Delaware or are otherwise tax exempt, including but not limited to the University of Delaware. The amount of the tax will be adjusted annually in an amount not to exceed the change in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, not seasonally adjusted). It also limits the available payment methods to restrict the use of credit cards for the payment of the aforementioned tax. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 1 of Article IX of the Delaware Constitution requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly to amend a municipal charter.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 6
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyndie Romer | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 25 |
| Mara Gorman | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 23 |
| Ed Osienski | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 24 |
| Dave Sokola | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 8 |
| Frank Burns | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 21 |
| Eric Morrison | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 27 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Signed by Governor
- Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT
- Reported Out of Committee (Elections & Government Affairs) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits
- Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate
- Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 1 NOT VOTING 1 ABSENT
- Amendment HA 1 to HB 34 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
- Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 1 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits, 1 Unfavorable
- Introduced and Assigned to Administration Committee in House