HB522: establishing a committee to study gaming options for New Hampshire.

CHAPTER 211

HB 522 – FINAL VERSION

23Mar2005… 0421h

15Jun2005… 1816eba

2005 SESSION

05-0380

08/09

HOUSE BILL 522

AN ACT establishing a committee to study gaming options for New Hampshire.

SPONSORS: Rep. Vaillancourt, Hills 15; Rep. Holden, Hills 7; Rep. Pantelakos, Rock 16; Rep. Baroody, Hills 13; Rep. R. L’Heureux, Hills 19; Sen. Gatsas, Dist 16; Sen. Barnes, Dist 17; Sen. D’Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Martel, Dist 18

COMMITTEE: Ways and Means

ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study gaming options for New Hampshire.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

23Mar2005… 0421h

15Jun2005… 1816eba

05-0380

08/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five

AN ACT establishing a committee to study gaming options for New Hampshire.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

211:1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study gaming options for New Hampshire.

211:2 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Five members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall be proponents of casino gambling, 2 of whom shall be opponents of casino gambling, and the remaining member shall be initially undecided.

(b) Five members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, 2 of whom shall be proponents of casino gambling, 2 of whom shall be opponents of casino gambling, and the remaining member shall be initially undecided.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

211:3 Duties. The committee shall:

I. Investigate and take testimony concerning the various types of gaming available to the state.

II. Investigate various gaming models, including, but not limited to:

(a) Slot-machine-only casinos.

(b) State-owned casinos.

(c) Full casinos.

(d) The Canadian models, and casino operations in other states and countries.

III. Consider all issues related to gaming, including, but not limited to:

(a) The effect of the various gaming models on existing forms of gaming.

(b) How to maximize state revenue.

(c) How best to oversee and regulate gaming.

IV. Solicit testimony from various sources, including, but not limited to:

(a) The department of revenue administration.

(b) The attorney general’s office.

(c) The department of resources and economic development.

(d) The department of health and human services.

(e) The state lottery commission.

(f) The pari-mutuel commission.

(g) Recognized experts on the subject of the economic and social effects of casino operations.

V. Evaluate the total revenues attainable by the state given existing market conditions and assuming projections of additional casinos and casino expansion in adjacent states.

VI. Determine and quantify, to the extent possible, the social and economic effects of casinos in various sites around the state on state, county, and local governments, and on tourism and other industries, including but not limited to:

(a) Property crimes.

(b) Crimes against persons.

(c) Social welfare costs.

(d) Competition for entertainment market share.

211:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

211:5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2005.

211:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

(Approved: July 1, 2005)

(Effective Date: July 1, 2005)