House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee Meeting

Tuesday, January 20, 2026·23m·▶ Watch / Listen

The House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee advanced HB 195, which would lower Delaware's legal bartending age from 21 to 18 under supervised conditions. All testimony was supportive, and the bill was released from committee on a recorded vote, with the chair recording a count of 10 in favor. Individual yes votes were captured for several members, including Chair Bush, Vice Chair Carson, and Representatives Berry, Gray, Griffith, Ross Levin, Snyder Hall, and Yurich, though votes for Representatives Hensley, Lambert, Michael Smith, and Wilson-Anton were not captured in the transcript. Representative Harris was noted as not present, and no no votes were recorded.

Key Actions

·HB 195 – Reducing Legal Bartending Age from 21 to 18No Vote

Notable Quotes

“Under current Delaware law, no one under 21 may perform any tasks behind the bar, including bringing ice, answering the phone for takeout, or even shucking oysters.”
K. Williams (bill sponsor) — Williams was explaining the breadth of the current restriction that HB 195 would modify, which prohibits individuals under 21 from any behind-the-bar activity regardless of whether it involves alcohol.

+ 4 more quotes

Votes

Motion to release HB 195 from committeeNo Vote

Yes (7)Chair Bush, Vice Chair Carson, Representative Barry [roster match: Berry — UNCLEAR if same Carson, Representative Gray, Representative Griffith, Representative Ross Levin, Representative Snyder Hall

Absent (4)Representative Harris (noted as not present), Representative Lambert (vote not captured), Representative Smith Michael (vote not captured), Representative Wilson Anton (vote not captured)

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TranscriptPreview

The meeting of the Economic Development, Banking, Insurance and Commerce Committee. If everyone could take their seat and let's get rolling here today. I want to welcome everyone back this year. I'm excited to have a good year and we only have one bill on today and very excited. Members, please be aware that there are microphones at your desk that will easily pick up conversations. These mics are connected to the live stream so that the public may watch the proceedings. The House Economic Development, Banking, Insurance and Commerce community meeting is called to order. The public may participate virtually through Zoom webinar by registering via the meeting link posted on General Assembly's website. Instructions for providing public comment are also posted under this committee meeting's notice on the website and will be given during the public comment portion of this hearing. Members of the public who are physically present for the meeting may sign up on the list for the bill they want to speak on. The list is available. It is currently right here. Please note that any votes may be taken by roll call vote. We will offer the bill for signatures to the absent committee…

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