In Delaware, there are 44 event venues that host events like weddings and receptions. To host events where alcohol is served, event venues must have a bottle club license. Under § 101 of Title 4, a bottle club is defined as a business where customers “enter on the premises for the purpose of consuming alcoholic liquors” brought by the customers. This definition can make the pathway for licensure unclear for event venues with customers that enter on the premises for the purpose of hosting and attending private events that sometimes include alcohol. Only 8 of the event venues in Delaware have a bottle club license. Adding a license that allows venues to host events with alcohol would reduce regulatory confusion by creating a clear pathway for event venues to apply for licensure. Also, event venues or the venues’ customers often hire caterers to provide food and alcohol to event guests, but Delaware grants licenses to purchase and resell alcohol only to caterers with at least 60% of their gross receipts resulting from the sale of food. In practice, this requirement limits flexibility, raises costs, and complicates event planning. So long as a reasonable selection of food is available, allowing the Commissioner to grant a license to caterers to serve alcohol at private, invitation-only events without the requirement to serve food would provide more flexibility for event planners and event venues, help with collaboration, and saves on costs. Adding a private event license and granting caterer licenses to provide alcohol at private events without requiring the caterer to also provide food would help eliminate gray areas in licensing and bring more events under the legal oversight of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner (“Commissioner”). These licensing changes would encourage economic activity in Delaware’s small business, event, and hospitality sections while ensuring public safety and maintaining accountability. This Act adds a private event license under § 512I of Title 4 to replace the current bottle club license for private social gatherings under § 515A(c)(2) of Title 4. Bottle club licenses granted under § 515A(c)(2) of Title 4 prior to the Act’s enactment may be retained and transferred, as allowed by the Commissioner. A “private event venue” means an establishment operated for profit or pecuniary gain used for private events. A “private event” means an invitation-only event with up to 1,000 guests, like weddings, dinners, benefits, and banquets. The private event license allows the person in charge of a private event or the owner, lessor, or person in charge of a private event venue to hold a private event at which alcoholic liquors are provided for consumption on the licensed premises. The alcoholic liquors may be provided by an off-site caterer licensed under § 512(g) of Title 4 or the customer, the customer’s invited guests, or both. The private event license does not allow a licensee to receive, keep, or sell alcoholic liquors. A private event licensee is also subject to limitations on the hours when alcohol may be sold or consumed on the premises and how long alcohol may be on the premises before and after a private event. Also, private event licensees have certain requirements, including maintaining liability insurance; making sure that if a licensed off-site caterer is hired, only that licensed off-site caterer provides alcohol; not providing alcohol to an individual under the age of 21 years; and making sure that there is an adequate selection of food, as determined by the Commissioner, at each private event. There are 2 types of private event licenses. A person may apply for a single event license that is valid only for the date and location specified in the application or a biennial premises license valid for any private event held on the licensed premises within a 2-year period. The fee for a single event license is $50 and the fee for a biennial premises license is $1,000. A private event licensee holding a biennial premises license must report each private event to the Commissioner at least 10 business days before the private event. The report must include the private event’s time and date, the number of guests invited, if the alcohol will be provided by an off-site caterer or the customer, and any other information required by the Commissioner. This Act also allows the Commissioner to grant licenses to caterers and off-site caterers under § 512(g) of Title 4, without the requirement to sell food, only if caterers or off-site caterers provide alcohol at a private event held on licensed premises. At each private event, an adequate selection of food, as determined by the Commissioner, must be available while alcoholic liquors are sold, served, or consumed. The food may be provided by another person, including a private event licensee, another caterer, another off-site caterer, or the customer. If the caterer or off-site caterer is hired to provide alcoholic liquors at a private event, all alcoholic liquors sold, served, or consumed must be provided by that caterer or off-site caterer. And the caterer or off-site caterer must report each private event, as required by the Commissioner. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual. This Act takes effect on enactment and is to be implemented the earlier of the following: 1. Six months from the date of the Act’s enactment. 2. Notice by the Commissioner in the Register of Regulations that final regulations to implement this Act have been adopted. This Act requires a greater than majority vote for passage because § 11 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 impose or levy a tax or license fee.
Sen. Brian Pettyjohn
Sponsored bills
This Act establishes the Tipped Worker Tax Relief Act to provide targeted state income tax relief to tipped workers in Delaware. It creates a subtraction from income of up to $15,000 of qualified tips. The program sunsets the end of 2029 unless renewed. This legislation promotes fairness, supports workforce retention in the small business community, and addresses affordability challenges without new taxes or mandates on employers.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 2026 as "Depression Awareness Month" throughout the State of Delaware. It serves as a formal proclamation to highlight mental health awareness during that specific time period. The measure does not alter laws or create new programs, but rather establishes an official state recognition for the month.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates November 2026 as "Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month" throughout the State of Delaware. It serves as a commemorative resolution intended to highlight the importance of raising public awareness about autoimmune conditions during that specific month. The measure does not alter any laws, allocate funding, or create new programs, but rather formally acknowledges the issue within the state's calendar.
This Concurrent Resolution recognizes September 24, 2026 as Firefighter Suicide Awareness Day, September 25, 2026 as Emergency Medical Services Suicide Awareness Day, September 26, 2026 as Law Enforcement Officer Suicide Awareness Day, and September 27, 2026 as Telecommunications Suicide Awareness Day in Delaware.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates October 28, 2026, as "National First Responders Day" within the State of Delaware. It directly affects first responders by officially recognizing their role through a state proclamation. The key mechanism is a formal declaration passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This action serves as a commemorative resolution rather than establishing new laws or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates July 2026 as "American Patriotism Month" throughout the State of Delaware. It does not create new laws or change government operations but serves as a formal recognition of patriotism during that specific month. The resolution was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives without requiring a vote on the final measure.
This Concurrent Resolution recognizes the young men participating in the 2026 session of Delaware’s Boys State and commends its sponsor, the American Legion Department of Delaware.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution, titled "Celebrating the Spirit of America 250," is a ceremonial measure designed to honor a specific anniversary or theme. It does not create new laws, change existing policies, or allocate any funding. The bill's primary effect is to formally recognize the "Spirit of America 250" within the legislative body.
This Concurrent Resolution encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department) to explore and make recommendations on the feasibility of establishing a veteran’s cemetery in Kent County, Delaware, and to submit a report containing those recommendations no later than January 1, 2027.