In a recent meeting of the New Hampshire Senate Finance Committee, significant discussions centered around the implementation of a new gaming law, which aims to standardize regulations across the state. The proposed legislation allows towns to vote on whether to prohibit gaming and keno, giving local communities the power to decide their stance on these activities. The bill's sponsor noted that an estimated 13% of towns might choose to prohibit gaming, which led to the decision not to require a statewide vote, thereby streamlining the process for the majority of towns that may wish to allow it.

The financial implications of this legislation were also a focal point of the meeting. The committee discussed projected revenues from gaming, estimating that the state could see around $500,000 in revenue during the last quarter of the biennium. This figure was derived from conversations with the lottery commission and reflects the anticipated economic benefits of legalizing gaming in the state.

As the meeting progressed, members addressed the upcoming schedule, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation for future sessions. The committee plans to review a list of hold items and amendments in the coming week, with the goal of finalizing the budget by the end of the month. Senators were reminded to stay engaged with their respective agencies to ensure all necessary information is gathered for a comprehensive budget review.

The meeting concluded with a motion to exit executive session, marking the end of a productive discussion focused on both local governance and state revenue generation. As the committee moves forward, the decisions made in this meeting will likely have lasting impacts on New Hampshire's gaming landscape and budgetary planning.