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SB 542 · 2026 · Senate · Ways and Means Committee

Limiting charity gaming dates

AI-generated

(New Title) limiting the game dates available to charities at gaming facilities.

Limits the number of game dates available to charitable organizations at gaming facilities.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (House) · April 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill limits the game dates available to charities at gaming facilities.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Each person, association, or corporation licensed to conduct historic horse race wagering shall collect a sum equal to 25 percent of revenues generated from historic horse race pari-mutuel pools after breakage and payment of winnings to patrons.”
Section 1
“The game dates benefiting the host municipality shall be in place of a charity game date, however, this shall not prevent the game operator employer from hosting [a charity] one or more charities on the same game dates when [2] additional charities would normally [operate] participate in charitable gaming.”
Section 3
“Only one license shall be issued to each applicant per year to operate games of chance for [10] 7 days, which [10] 7 days need not be consecutive.”
Section 4
“A charitable gaming license shall be $50, which shall entitle the charity up to [10] 7 game dates per calendar year.”
Section 5

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Timothy LangRPrimeChair· Ways and Means
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRVice Chair· Ways and Means
  • Rep. John JanigianRChair· Ways and Means

Also: Sen. David WattersD, Sen. Tim McGoughR

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 3 wrote testimony

29% support71% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Overcomplicating an operation that will drive more money to charities where we have limited financial oversight.”
— CORY STONE, Doveropposes
“This bill guarantees a much larger cut of sin-profits to the syndicate and slashes charitable gaming days.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuaopposes
“I oppose SB 542 because reducing available gaming dates harms small nonprofits that rely on these events for fundraising. This bill restricts charitable revenue without providing a clear public benefit.”
— Hannah Meiselman, Manchesteropposes

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
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0199s5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0199sadopted
  • Jan 29, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0199sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Mar 23, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Refer for Interim Study19–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseVoice voteRefer for Interim Studyadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 21, 2026Public hearingSenate Ways and Means1:00:35–1:07:266m 51slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Jan 29, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0199s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0199s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0199s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 9, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means1:32:40–1:37:425m 2slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 23, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means2:04:33–2:07:423m 9slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamRefer for Interim Study — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 15, 2026Public hearingHouse Ways and Means1:12:05–1:13:141m 9slocated in the stream transcriptFull Committee Work Session; ==CANCELLED== Executive Session

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Ways and Means; SJ 1
  2. Jan 21, 2026SenHearing: 01/21/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 10:00 am; SC 2
  3. Jan 29, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0199s, 01/29/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 3
  4. Jan 29, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0199s, AA, VV; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  5. Jan 29, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0199s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026; SJ 2
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Ways and Means HJ 5 P. 124
  7. Mar 9, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/09/2026 11:15 am GP 159
  8. Mar 23, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 03/23/2026 10:30 am GP 159
  9. Mar 23, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/23/2026 11:30 am GP 159
  10. Mar 23, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Refer for Interim Study 03/23/2026 (Vote 19-0; CC)
  11. Apr 9, 2026HouseRefer for Interim Study: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 16
  12. Jun 15, 2026HouseFull Committee Work Session: 06/15/2026 10:00 am GP 159
  13. Jun 15, 2026House==CANCELLED== Executive Session: 06/15/2026 11:00 am GP 159

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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