HB 737-LOCAL (2025): creating local options for games of chance, authorizing keno throughout the state, and changing charitable gaming license fees and reporting requirements.

HB 737-LOCAL (2025)

creating local options for games of chance, authorizing keno throughout the state, and changing charitable gaming license fees and reporting requirements.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Ways and Means
• Senate committee: Ways and Means
• Subject: Gambling
• Chapter law: 288

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the House Ways and Means committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 5, 2025, with 8 people signed in online: 7 in support and 1 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 4, 2025 and March 10, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 15–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0850h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-0850h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 20, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 20, 2025 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 20, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Ways and Means committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 2, 2025. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1638s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-1638s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 1, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On May 1, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The committee held a work session on May 20, 2025. On May 22, 2025 the House adopted “House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1638s and Requests CofC” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Jason Osborne. On June 5, 2025 the Senate adopted “Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference” on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Timothy Lang. A committee of conference met on June 17, 2025 to try to settle the differences between the two chambers' versions of the bill. On June 26, 2025 the Senate adopted the conference report (2025-2810c) on a voice vote. On June 26, 2025 the House adopted the conference report (2025-2810c) on a voice vote. The bill was enrolled on June 26, 2025 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2025-2924e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on August 1, 2025, making it Chapter 288 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Bill Boyd (R - Hills 12) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Thomas Schamberg (D - Merr 6)
• Rep. Len Turcotte (R - Straf 4)
• Rep. Joseph Barton (R - Graf 1)
• Rep. Walter Spilsbury (R - Sull 3)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)
• Rep. David Paige (D - Carr 1)
• Rep. Jerry Stringham (D - Graf 3)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 5, 2025, 1:00 PM: public hearing, House Ways and Means, LOB 203
• March 4, 2025, 11:00 AM: executive session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• March 10, 2025, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• March 20, 2025: consent calendar, House
• April 2, 2025, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Ways and Means, SH 100
• April 16, 2025, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Ways and Means, SH 100
• May 1, 2025: consent calendar, Senate
• May 20, 2025, 10:30 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• May 22, 2025: floor debate, House
• June 5, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• June 17, 2025, 10:30 AM: committee of conference, LOB 202-204

Votes

• March 20, 2025, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-0850h — voice vote, passed
• May 1, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1638s — voice vote, passed
• May 22, 2025, House: House Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2025-1638s and Requests CofC — voice vote, passed
• June 5, 2025, Senate: Accedes to House Request for Committee of Conference — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, Senate: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed
• June 26, 2025, House: Adopt Conference Committee Report — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 287-D
• RSA 284:42
• RSA 284:45
• RSA 284
• RSA 287-D:7
• RSA 287-D:8
• RSA 287-D:9
• RSA 287-D:10
• RSA 287-D:13
• RSA 284:51

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 15
• SC 16
• SC 19