Establishing a charitable gaming oversight commission.
Impact
This legislation seeks to enhance the oversight of charitable gaming in New Hampshire, particularly in light of recent changes concerning historical horse racing. The commission is tasked with reviewing existing laws, addressing issues highlighted in prior studies, and making recommendations for legislative and administrative changes as needed. The goal is to ensure that charitable gaming laws are effective and adapt to emerging trends while safeguarding participants.
Summary
HB328 establishes a Charitable Gaming Oversight Commission aimed at revising and overseeing the state's charitable gaming laws. This commission will consist of seven voting members, including representatives from both the Senate and House Ways and Means Committees, alongside public members appointed by the governor. The commission will also include eight non-voting members, ensuring a blend of perspectives from various stakeholders in charitable gaming.
Contention
Proponents of HB328 argue that a dedicated oversight body is crucial for managing the complexities of charitable gaming and preventing issues related to problem gambling. However, concerns may arise regarding how the commission's decisions could affect existing local gaming operations and the distribution of funds to charities. The balancing act between regulatory oversight and maintaining local interests could lead to debates among various stakeholders affected by the changes in gaming laws.
Creating a commission to study charitable gaming and historical horse races and relative to the moratorium on licensed historical horse racing facilities.
Relative to historic horse racing licensing, establishing operations of games of chance for the benefit of the host community, and relative to charitable gaming dates for municipalities and charitable organizations.
Repealing certain task forces, study committees, and study commissions , repealing the John G. Winant memorial commission and making the maintenance of the memorial a duty of the joint legislative historical committee, and establishing a committee to study the appeals process administered by the environmental councils established under RSA 21-O.
To provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; and to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds to the Executive and Legislative Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.