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HB 1531 · 2026 · House · Municipal and County Government Committee

Host agreements for gaming facilities

AI-generated

requiring applicants for games of chance facilities licensees and game operator employer licensees to enter into host community agreements with municipalities.

Requires applicants for games of chance facility and game operator employer licenses to enter into host community agreements with the municipalities where they will operate.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 19, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill requires applicants for games of chance facility licenses and game operator employer licenses to enter into host community agreements with the municipalities in which they will operate games of chance.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

““Applicant” means an applicant for a facilities license or a game operator employer license under this chapter, whether for initial licensure or any license renewal.”
RSA 287-D:4-b
““Host community” means a municipality, including a city, town, or unincorporated place, where an applicant for a game operator employer license or a facilities license is located or proposes to locate to conduct any game of chance.”
RSA 287-D:4-b
“If an applicant for a game operator employer license or a facilities license is situated or proposes to be situated in 2 or more municipalities, each shall be a host community for purposes of this section.”
RSA 287-D:4-b
“Before applying to the commission for licensure for initial licensure or any license renewal, an applicant shall negotiate a host community agreement with the selectboard, aldermen, city council, or county delegation of a host community.”
RSA 287-D:4-b

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Bill OhmRPrimeClerk· Ways and Means
  • Rep. Susan AlmyDRanking Member· Ways and Means
  • Rep. Laura TelerskiDDeputy Democratic Leader
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary
  • Rep. Bill BoydRClerk· Public Works and Highways
  • Sen. Cindy RosenwaldDDeputy Democratic Leader

Also: Rep. Louis JurisD, Rep. Susan ElbergerD, Rep. Kevin ScullyR, Rep. Thomas OppelD, Rep. Len TurcotteR

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

86% support14% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“For the record, I am Thomas Oppel, Representative for Grafton District 9, encompassing the towns of Canaan, Dorchester & Orange. This bill would provide at least some reimbursement to communities hosting gaming for the added expense.…”
— Thomas Oppel, Canaan · Grafton House District 9: Canaan, Dorchester & Orangesupports
“Ensures municipalities are fairly compensated and have a say in local gambling operations, protecting community interests.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Machestersupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 3, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government2:11:32–2:12:401m 8slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 3, 2026Public hearingHouse Municipal and County Government4:14:51–4:16:001m 9slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government HJ 1 P. 24
  2. Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/27/2026 10:15 am GP 154
  3. Feb 3, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/03/2026 01:00 pm GP 154
  4. Feb 3, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/03/2026 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 7 P. 18
  5. Feb 19, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/19/2026 HJ 5 P. 29

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.