HB 247-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0381
02/06
HOUSE BILL247-LOCAL
AN ACTauthorizing municipalities to hold a referendum on whether to allow historic horse racing.
SPONSORS:Rep. Ohm, Hills. 10; Rep. Almy, Graf. 17; Rep. Manohar, Hills. 9; Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Avard, Dist 12
COMMITTEE:Municipal and County Government
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ANALYSIS
This bill authorizes municipalities to hold a referendum on whether to allow the sale of pari-mutuel wagers on historic horse racing.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0381
02/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACTauthorizing municipalities to hold a referendum on whether to allow historic horse racing.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Historic Horse Racing; Local Option. Amend RSA 284 by inserting after section 22-b the following new section:
284:22-c Local Option.
I. Any town or city may permit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing according to the provisions of this subdivision, in the following manner:
(a) In a town, the question shall be placed on the warrant of an annual town meeting under the procedures set out in RSA 39:3, and shall be voted on a ballot. In a city, the legislative body may vote to place the question on the official ballot for any regular municipal election, or, in the alternative, shall place the question on the official ballot for any regular municipal election upon submission to the legislative body of a petition signed by 5 percent of the registered voters.
(b) The selectmen, aldermen, or city council shall hold a public hearing on the question at least 15 days but not more than 30 days before the question is to be voted on. Notice of the hearing shall be posted in at least 2 public places in the municipality and published in a newspaper of general circulation at least 7 days before the hearing.
(c) The wording of the question shall be substantially as follows: "Shall we allow the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing within the town or city?"
II. If a majority of those voting on the question vote "Yes," entities licensed by the lottery commission pursuant to RSA 284:12-a may offer pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing within the town or city.
III. If the question is not approved, the question may later be voted upon according to the provisions of paragraph I at the next annual town meeting or regular municipal election.
IV. A municipality that has voted to allow the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing may consider rescinding its action in the manner described in paragraph I of this section.
IV-a. An unincorporated place may allow the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing by majority vote of the county delegation, after a public hearing is held.
V. The lottery commission shall maintain a list of municipalities where the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing is available.
VI. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, entities licensed to sell pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing as of January 1, 2026 shall be permitted to operate and renew their lottery commission licenses for facilities located within municipalities which have yet to approve the sale of such wagers.
2 New Paragraph; Pari-Mutuel Pools on Historic Horse Races. Amend RSA 284:22-b by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:
IX. No license to sell pari-mutuel pools on historic horse races shall be issued for establishments located within municipalities which have yet to approve such operation pursuant to RSA 284:22-c, provided that licenses issued prior to January 1, 2026 shall remain valid.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.