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DelawareHB 462153rd General Assembly (2024–2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL TAXES.

Sponsored By: Kimberly Williams (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Wilmington loses special school tax authority

The law removes Wilmington’s special authority to exceed its stated school tax maximum for required local contributions. It also removes Wilmington-specific district and school board references from the school tax chapter. This limits that particular route to higher property taxes, but does not set a tax bill or guarantee savings.

Separate school tax rates for homes

Districts entirely in New Castle County can set separate school tax rates for homes and other property. They must use county property classes and charge the same rate within each class. Other property’s rate must equal or exceed the home rate, but cannot exceed 1.85 times it. Districts can adopt or adjust these rates through a tax election or the law’s new-rate calculation process. Election ballots must show each class’s proposed rate or share of the money raised. Calculated rates must keep combined projected revenue within the existing legal limit. The split can cover operating, matching, tuition, and capital debt taxes. Districts with earlier splits can keep the same or a lower ratio than in 2025–2026. Ratios above 1.85 must fall to that cap beginning in 2026–2027. The county’s vocational-technical district cannot use split rates after 2025–2026. The law itself does not set household tax bills.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kimberly Williams

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Frank Burns

    Democratic • House

  • Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha

    Democratic • House

  • Daniel Cruce

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kerri Evelyn Harris

    Democratic • House

  • S. Elizabeth Lockman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Spiros Mantzavinos

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melissa Minor-Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Eric Morrison

    Democratic • House

  • Cyndie Romer

    Democratic • House

  • Claire Snyder-Hall

    Democratic • House

  • Bryan Townsend

    Democratic • Senate

  • John "Jack" Walsh

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 47 • No: 10

Senate vote • 6/30/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 14 • No: 4

House vote • 6/18/2026

Passed (SM required)

Yes: 33 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Enact w/o Sign by Governor

    8/5/2026Governor

  2. Passed By Senate. Votes: 14 YES 4 NO 2 NOT VOTING 1 ABSENT

    6/30/2026Senate

  3. Reported Out of Committee (Finance) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

    6/25/2026Senate

  4. Assigned to Finance Committee in Senate

    6/24/2026Senate

  5. Reported Out of Committee (Executive) in Senate with 5 On Its Merits

    6/24/2026Senate

  6. Assigned to Executive Committee in Senate

    6/18/2026Senate

  7. Passed By House. Votes: 33 YES 6 NO 2 ABSENT

    6/18/2026House

  8. Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 6 On Its Merits

    6/16/2026House

  9. Reported Out of Committee (Appropriations) in House with 6 On Its Merits

    6/16/2026House

  10. Assigned to Appropriations Committee in House

    6/12/2026House

  11. Reported Out of Committee (Administration) in House with 3 Favorable, 1 On Its Merits

    6/10/2026House

  12. Introduced and Assigned to Administration Committee in House

    6/4/2026House

Bill Text

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