SB 83-FN (2026): relative to licenses for primary and secondary game operators.

SB 83-FN (2026)

relative to licenses for primary and secondary game operators.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Ways and Means
• Senate committee: Ways and Means
• Subject: Gambling
• Chapter law: 16

The Story

It was introduced on January 9, 2025 and referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The Senate withdrew that referral and sent the bill to the Ways and Means committee instead. The committee held a public hearing on February 5, 2025. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-0773s). The committee's amendment (2025-0773s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 13, 2025, changing the text of the bill. On March 13, 2025 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted 5–1 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2025-1102s). The committee's amendment (2025-1102s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 27, 2025, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2025-1160s), offered by Sen. David Watters, was rejected on a roll call 8–16 on March 27, 2025. A floor amendment (2025-1369s), offered by Sen. Debra Altschiller, was rejected on a roll call 8–16 on March 27, 2025. On March 27, 2025 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 March 27, 2025 and was referred to the House Ways and Means committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 15, 2025, with 4 people signed in online: 4 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on April 22, 2025 and May 6, 2025. The committee met in executive session on May 27, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held a work session on October 6, 2025. The committee met in executive session on October 29, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The committee held a public hearing on October 29, 2025 on a proposed non-germane amendment (2025-3010h). The committee voted unanimously, 17–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-3010h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-3010h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On February 5, 2026 the Senate voted to agree to the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Timothy Lang. On February 5, 2026 the Senate adopted “Special Order to the Present Time, Without Objection”. The bill was enrolled on March 12, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on March 27, 2026, making it Chapter 16 of the session laws. It took effect on May 26, 2026.

Sponsors

• Sen. Timothy Lang (R - SD2) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Kevin Avard (R - SD12)
• Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Rep. Michael Moffett (R - Merr 4)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 5, 2025, 10:00 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• March 13, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• March 27, 2025: floor debate, Senate
• April 15, 2025, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• April 22, 2025, 1:00 PM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• May 6, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, LOBO 202-204
• May 27, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Ways and Means, LOB 202-204
• October 6, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• October 29, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Ways and Means, GP 159
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• February 5, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 13, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-0773s — voice vote, passed
• March 27, 2025, Senate: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 8, nays 16, failed
• March 27, 2025, Senate: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 8, nays 16, failed
• March 27, 2025, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2025-1102s — voice vote, passed
• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-3010h — voice vote, passed
• February 5, 2026, Senate: Concur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 287-J:1
• RSA 284:22-b
• RSA 287-D:1
• RSA 287-D:9
• RSA 287-D:10

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SC 8
• SC 12
• SC 14
• HC 51, page 18
• HJ 1, page 80
• SJ 7
• HJ 8, page 115