Bill > HB1531

This bill requires applicants for games of chance facilities licenses and game operator employer licenses to negotiate and enter into host community agreements with the municipalities where they will operate. These agreements must be negotiated in good faith and address potential impacts of charitable gaming operations on the host community, including public inquiries, emergency response capacity, infrastructure needs, security support, local hiring, and information exchange. Before finalizing an agreement, municipalities must provide public notice and allow a 14-day comment period, during which the agreement will be available for public inspection. The lottery commission will investigate and potentially penalize licensees who fail to comply with their host community agreement, which could include suspending or revoking their license. Current licensees will be exempt from these requirements until their next license renewal. The bill aims to ensure that charitable gaming establishments mitigate the strain they place on municipal resources and infrastructure, requiring them to proactively address potential community impacts before receiving or renewing their operating licenses. Notably, these agreements do not replace existing local approval requirements, and licensees must still secure all necessary local permissions.

Government Affairs

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1860&inflect=2