SB 542 (2026): limiting the game dates available to charities at gaming facilities.

SB 542 (2026)

limiting the game dates available to charities at gaming facilities.

• Status: Referred for interim study
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Ways and Means
• Senate committee: Ways and Means
• Subject: Gambling

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Ways and Means committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 21, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0199s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0199s) was adopted on a voice vote on January 29, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 29, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Ways and Means committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 9, 2026, with 5 people signed in online: 1 in support and 4 in opposition. The committee held a work session on March 23, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 23, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 19–0, to recommend that the House study it after the session ends, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 9, 2026 the House voted to study it after the session ends on a voice vote. The committee held work sessions on June 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026. The committee met in executive session on September 30, 2026 to vote on its recommendation.

Sponsors

• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Rep. John Janigian (R - Rock 25)
• Sen. Tim McGough (R - SD11)
• Sen. Keith Murphy (R - SD16)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 21, 2026, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Ways and Means, SH 122-123
• January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• March 9, 2026, 11:15 AM: public hearing, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• March 23, 2026, 10:30 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• March 23, 2026, 11:30 AM: executive session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• April 9, 2026: consent calendar, House
• June 15, 2026, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• September 30, 2026, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, GP 234
• September 30, 2026, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Ways and Means, GP 234

Votes

• January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0199s — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: Refer for Interim Study — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 284:23
• RSA 287-D:6
• RSA 287-D:13

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 2
• SC 3
• SJ 2
• HJ 5, page 124
• HJ 10, page 16
• House Calendar 14, 2026, committee report