Revision: June 15, 2014, midnight
HB 1626-FN-A-LOCAL – AS INTRODUCED
2014 SESSION
08/01
HOUSE BILL 1626-FN-A-LOCAL
AN ACT establishing up to 6 gambling establishments in the state and a gaming oversight authority and continually appropriating a special fund.
SPONSORS: Rep. Vaillancourt, Hills 15
This bill:
I. Regulates video gaming, establishes the division of gaming enforcement, and establishes the gaming oversight authority.
II. Determines the disbursement of all proceeds of video gambling with 60 percent of the proceeds distributed to the general fund.
III. Establishes a new fund in the state treasurer’s office for machine income.
IV. Allows facility licensees to receive a cocktail lounge license.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
14-2043
08/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen
AN ACT establishing up to 6 gambling establishments in the state and a gaming oversight authority and continually appropriating a special fund.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Chapter; Gaming Oversight Authority and Video Lottery. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 287-G the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 287-H
GAMING OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY AND VIDEO LOTTERY
287-H:1 Definitions. In this chapter:
I. “Centralized data provider” means a provider of centralized gambling data, selected by the gaming oversight authority.
II. “Currency” means legal tender in the form of coins or paper which is officially issued by the United States Treasury, but it does not include any type of credit or debit card.
III. “Facility applicant” means the entity, which will participate and apply for a facility license, as applicable.
IV. “Facility license” means the license issued by the gaming oversight authority to a facility licensee.
V. “Facility licensee” means an applicant who is issued a license by the gaming oversight authority to provide facilities and support to state operated video lottery locations.
VI. “Gaming oversight authority” means the authority established by RSA 287-H:2.
VII. “Net machine income” means all cash or other consideration utilized to play a video lottery machine, less all cash or other consideration paid to players of video lottery machines as winnings. Non cashable promotional credits shall be excluded from the calculation.
VIII. “Technology provider” means any person or entity which designs, manufactures, installs, distributes, or supplies video lottery machines for lease to the state for conducting video lottery games in accordance with this chapter.
IX. “Token” means the coin, which is not legal tender, sold by a cashier in a face amount equal to the currency paid by a player for the sole purpose of playing a video lottery machine at a licensed facility, which can be exchanged for currency at the same facility where the video lottery machines are located, but it does not include any type of credit or debit card.
X. “Video lottery employee” means a person employed by the state in the operation of a video lottery location, including without limitation, cashiers; floormen; machine mechanics; security personnel or inspectors; and supervisors or managers. Video lottery employees shall be hired, fired, trained, managed, and supervised by the division of gaming enforcement.
XI. “Video lottery location” means a state operated facility, within a location provided by the facility licensee, authorized by the local community that contains video lottery machines operated in accordance with this chapter.
XII. “Video lottery machines” means an electronic, mechanical, or computerized machine licensed by the lottery commission, which upon the insertion of bills, coins, tokens, or any representative of value is available to be played where, by chance or skill, or both, the player may receive cash, cash equivalents, or tokens. Video lottery machines include, but are not limited to, slot machines, video poker machines, and other lottery machines. A machine shall be considered a video lottery machine notwithstanding the use of an electronic credit system making the deposit of bills, coins, or tokens unnecessary. Video lottery machines do not include any redemption slot machines and redemption poker machines as defined in RSA 647 or video poker machines or other similar machines used for amusement purposes only.
287-H:2 Gaming Oversight Authority.
I. There is hereby established the New Hampshire gaming oversight authority. The gaming oversight authority shall consist of the commissioner of the department of safety, the commissioner of the department of resources and economic development, and the commissioner of the department of revenue administration, or their respective designees. The commissioner of the department of safety shall serve as the chairperson of the gaming oversight authority.
II. The gaming oversight authority through delegation to the division of gaming enforcement shall exclusively establish, staff, manage, and operate video lottery locations at facilities licensed under the provisions of this chapter. Facilities provided by the facility licensee shall contain non-gaming resources such as, dining, liquor, hotel, and any other support resource approved by the gaming oversight authority. The facility licensee shall, at a minimum, provide and pay for heat, electricity, water, sewer, maintenance, and security surveillance infrastructure for the video lottery location.
287-H:3 Duties of the Gaming Oversight Authority. The gaming oversight authority shall:
I. Issue licenses only after completion of the investigations set forth in this chapter. All license applications shall be approved or denied no later than 150 days from the date of application. No license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be assigned, transferred, or sold without a complete application and the approval of the gaming oversight authority and payment of a $150,000 application fee. No person or entity may own or have an interest in more than one facility license.
II. Collect all license fees imposed upon any applicant and all fees imposed by this chapter.
III. Certify net machine income by inspecting records, conducting audits, having its agents on site, or by other reasonable means.
IV. Establish a central computer system at a location of its choosing linking all video lottery machines to a central computer to ensure control over the video lottery machines.
V. Enter into lease agreements with up to 3 technology providers to provide video lottery machines to the state. Lease agreements shall provide that the technology provider supply the quantity and quality of video lottery machines determined by the gaming oversight authority in a timely and efficient manner, and shall be paid with a percentage of the net machine income, as provided in RSA 287-H:17, I(c). The technology provider shall provide all maintenance and service of its video lottery machines at no additional charge or fee to the state. Each agreement shall also provide that the technology provider shall be required to replace 30 percent of its video lottery machines on a yearly basis.
VI. Establish technical standards for approval of video lottery machines, including mechanical and electrical reliability and security against tampering, as it may deem necessary to protect the public from fraud or deception and to ensure the integrity of the operation.
VII. Not later than November 1 in each calendar year of this program, provide a report to the legislative fiscal committee regarding the generation of revenue of video lottery machines. Such report shall include any recommendations for legislation and any community concerns.
VIII. Have the authority to issue subpoenas and compel the attendance of witnesses, to administer oaths, and require testimony of witnesses under oath.
IX. Make and keep records of all proceedings of its public meetings. A copy of the transcript shall be made available to any person upon request and payment of the costs of preparing a copy.
X. Keep and maintain a list of all license applicants and a record of all actions taken with respect to each applicant. A file and record of the actions by the gaming oversight authority shall be open to public.
XI. Maintain such other files and records as it deems necessary. All records maintained by the gaming oversight authority may be maintained in digital format or other technology, provided that such information is capable of being produced in written form.
XII. Maintain the confidentiality of all information and data obtained by the gaming oversight authority. Such information shall not be revealed in whole or in part except as otherwise provided by law, upon the lawful order of a court of competent jurisdiction, lawfully executed and served grand jury subpoenas, or with the approval of the attorney general, to a duly authorized law enforcement agency.
XIII. Provide notice of the contents of any information or data released, except to a duly authorized law enforcement agency or grand jury subpoena pursuant to paragraph XII, shall be given to any applicant, registrant, or licensee in a manner prescribed by the rules adopted by the gaming oversight authority.
XIV. If necessary, contract for and procure financial, economic, or security consultants and any other technical and professional services as the authority deem necessary.
XV. Develop and provide an employee training program which shall include, but not be limited to, information on state law, criminal and civil liability, and management practices.
287-H:4 Rulemaking.
I. The gaming oversight authority shall have general responsibility for the implementation of this chapter and shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A relative to:
(a) Hearing and deciding all license applications or recommendations for the suspension or revocation of any license.
(b) Conducting all investigations required with regard to the application, suspension, or revocation of any licensee or applicant.
(c) Conducting hearings pertaining to administrative violations or rules and collecting all penalties assessed under the provisions of this chapter.
(d) Establishing standards and a reasonable fee structure for the licensing and renewal of licenses for technology providers.
(e) Establishing technical standards for approval of video lottery machines, including mechanical and electrical reliability and security against tampering, as it may deem necessary to protect the public from fraud or deception and to ensure the integrity of operation.
(f) Establishing criteria for licensing, suspension, and revocation and the bidding process under RSA 287-H:12.
(g) The value of prizes, which may be awarded, and the cost of play for each video lottery game played on a video lottery machine, as recommended by the technology provider.
(h) Establishing employee qualifications, training, and background investigations for prospective employees.
(i) Standards for the management, and operation, of all video lottery locations.
II. Pending the adoption of rules under RSA 541-A, and notwithstanding RSA 541-A:2, the gaming oversight authority shall adopt interim rules including provisions for the publication of public notice of the period of time for the submission of facility license applications and after public hearing and within 60 days of the effective date of this chapter. Such interim rules shall automatically expire upon the adoption of rules under RSA 541-A.
287-H:5 Restrictions. No member or employee of the gaming oversight authority, the department of revenue administration, the department of resources and economic development, or the department of safety shall have a fiduciary interest in any technology provider, facility licensee, or centralized data provider.
287-H:6 Licensure of Technology Provider and Centralized Data Provider. No technology provider or centralized data provider shall engage in the business of providing, installing, or repairing video lottery machines used in this program without a license issued by the gaming oversight authority.
287-H:7 Restriction on Technology and Centralized Data Provider. No technology provider or centralized data provider or their employees shall be entitled to operate video lottery machines within the state.
287-H:8 Restriction of Minors.
I. No person under the age of 21 shall play a video lottery machine authorized by this chapter.
II. No member or employee of any video lottery location, department of safety, the attorney general’s office, or the gaming oversight authority shall knowingly permit a person under the age of 21 to play or participate in any aspect of the playing of a video lottery machine.
III. Each violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of no more than $1,000 and shall be payable by such person who violates paragraph I. If such violator is a state employee, then the employee shall also be subject to appropriate sanctions in conformance with the adopted policies and procedures of the division of gaming enforcement, and the department of administrative services, division of personnel.
IV. Each violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of no more than $1,000 and shall be payable by the employee or facility licensee that is found to have violated paragraph II.
287-H:9 Person Misrepresenting Age.
I. A person who falsely represents his or her age for the purpose of playing video lottery machines shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be fined for his or her first offense a minimum of $250. No portion of this mandatory minimum fine shall be waived, continued for sentencing or suspended by the court. A second or subsequent offense shall carry a $500 minimum fine.
II. Notwithstanding paragraph I or any other law to the contrary, any person who possesses or uses or displays in any manner a false identification card, document, license or any other document which represents such person’s age for the purpose of playing video lottery machines shall be fined a minimum of $250. No portion of this mandatory minimum fine shall be waived, continued for sentencing, or suspended by the court. The provisions of this paragraph shall not reduce the maximum penalty which could be imposed for such an offense pursuant to paragraph I. A second or subsequent offense shall carry a $500 minimum fine.
III. An identification card issued under the provisions of RSA 260:21 shall be withdrawn for violation of this section for 90 days. In addition, the director of the division of motor vehicles shall withdraw, for 90 days, the identification card of any person who allows his or her card to be used or displayed by another person for the purpose of playing video lottery machines.
287-H:10 Penalty for Tampering or Manipulating. Any person who, with the intent to manipulate the outcome, payoff, or operation of a video lottery machine, manipulates the outcome, payoff, or operation of any video lottery machine by physical, electronic, or mechanical means, shall be guilty of a class A felony.
287-H:11 Video Lottery Machine Requirements.
I. No video lottery machine shall be used to conduct gaming unless it is identical in all electrical, mechanical, and other aspects to a model, which has been specifically tested and licensed for use by the gaming oversight authority.
II. All video lottery machines in operation shall pay out as winnings at least 92 percent on an annual basis.
III. The gaming oversight authority shall establish the days and hours of operation of video lottery locations and shall not be restricted by the facility licensee.
IV. No automatic teller machines shall be located within 150 feet of a video lottery machine.
287-H:12 Licenses; Number of Video Lottery Machines.
I. From the effective date of this chapter, the number of video lottery machines statewide shall be limited to 5,000 to be distributed at the discretion and judgment of the gaming oversight authority.
II. The gaming oversight authority shall issue not more than a total of 6 facility licenses in the state of New Hampshire. Four facility licensees shall have 600 video lottery machines and 2 facility licensees shall have 1,300 video lottery machines. Prior to issuing any facility licenses and when there are fewer than 6 facility licenses, the gaming oversight authority shall issue facility licenses pursuant to the bidding process described in paragraph III. A county may have both a licensee with 1,300 video lottery machines and a licensee with 600 video lottery machines, but shall not have 2 licensees with the same number of machines. Eligibility shall be based on, but not limited to the following:
(a) Evidence provided by the applicant that the applicant has received any required local approval.
(b) Regional location of prospective facility licensee, provided that no more than one facility licensee shall operate in each county.
(c) A detailed economic plan, filed with the gaming oversight authority, for the municipality and the surrounding region where the prospective facility licensee is located with supporting documentation to explain the following:
(1) Unemployment in the area.
(2) Direct and indirect employment gain.
(3) Effect on tourism-based economy.
(4) Effect on regional economic development.
(5) Tourist trends.
(d) A business plan, filed with the gaming oversight authority, to support video lottery machines.
(e) Qualifications of those persons who own or manage the prospective licensee facility.
(f) Regional population.
(g) Vehicle traffic.
(h) Total square footage of the facility and total acreage of such facility.
(i) Availability of suitable infrastructure.
(j) Availability of adequate parking.
(k) Other information that the gaming oversight authority may require.
III. Within 60 days of the effective date of this chapter and whenever there are fewer than 6 facility licensees, the gaming oversight authority shall solicit sealed bids through a competitive bidding process for the available facility license or licenses. The minimum bid for the facility licenses for 600 video lottery machines shall be $2,500,000. The minimum bid for the facility licenses for 1,300 video lottery machines shall be $5,000,000. If there are more bidders who are equally eligible than the number of available facility licenses, the gaming oversight authority shall conduct a drawing to determine which bidder or bidders will be issued facility licenses.
287-H:13 Application and License Requirements.
I. A facility licensee applicant shall obtain a facility license from the gaming oversight authority. An applicant shall complete and sign an application on the forms prescribed by the gaming oversight authority. The application shall include the full name, residence, date of birth, and other personal identifying information of the applicant, and if a corporation or other form of business enterprise, the same information shall be provided with respect to each partner, trustee, officer, director, and any shareholder or other holder who owns more than 3 percent of the legal or beneficial interests of such entity. All such business entities shall be registered with the secretary of state.
II. The gaming oversight authority shall refer applications to the attorney general who shall conduct an investigation. The investigation may be conducted through any appropriate state or federal law enforcement system and may seek information as to the applicant’s financial, criminal, or business background, or any other information which the attorney general, in his or her sole discretion, may deem relevant to the subject’s fitness to be associated with the ownership or management of the operation of a facility licensee in New Hampshire, including but not limited to, the subject’s character, personal associations, and the extent to which the subject is properly doing business in the manner in which it purports to operate. The attorney general shall report the results of the investigation to the gaming oversight authority within 90 days after the receipt of the application. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the results of any such investigation shall be confidential and shall not be subject to disclosure or to public inspection.
III. In any investigation conducted pursuant to paragraph II, the attorney general or any duly authorized member of the attorney general’s staff may subpoena the attendance of witnesses and require the production of such correspondence, documents, books and papers as deemed advisable, and for purposes of this section, may administer oaths and take the testimony of witnesses.
287-H:14 Licensure Requirements.
I. No facility license shall be issued by the gaming oversight authority unless the applicant has proven to the satisfaction of the gaming oversight authority by clear and convincing evidence:
(a) The financial stability based on audited financial statements, integrity, and responsibility, considering, without limitation, bank references, business and personal income and disbursement schedules, tax returns and other reports filed with governmental agencies, and business and personal accounting and check records and ledgers.
(b) The trustworthiness and good reputation of all financial backers, investors, mortgagees, bondholders, and holders of indentures, notes and other evidences of indebtedness of the applicant.
(c) The good character, honesty and integrity, considering, without limitation, information pertaining to reputation, criminal record, business activities, and financial affairs covering at least the 10-year period immediately preceding the filing of the application.
(d) In addition, no facility license shall be issued by the gaming oversight authority to any applicant unless the applicant has proven to the satisfaction of the gaming oversight authority by clear and convincing evidence that each director, officer or similar principal employee and each direct or indirect owner satisfies the standards for licensure contained in RSA 287-H:13.
(e) The gaming oversight authority may, in its discretion, waive the qualification requirement for any such person who is not significantly involved in the activities of the applicant, does not have the ability to significantly influence or control the applicant, or for other good cause, only when written justification is provided.
(f) Except as provided in this chapter, no person who owns, directly or indirectly, legally or beneficially, 5 percent or less of the equity securities or 50 percent or less of the outstanding debt securities of a publicly traded holding company of an applicant for a facility license shall be required to be qualified pursuant to the provisions of this section prior to the issuance of such a license to the applicant.
(g) If a facility licensee has 25 or fewer holders of its equity securities, either directly or indirectly, legally or beneficially, then each such holder shall satisfy the standards of this chapter.
II. No technology provider’s license shall be issued by the gaming oversight unless the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the gaming oversight authority by clear and convincing evidence that it satisfies the standards contained in paragraph I of this section. The gaming oversight authority shall establish the form of application that shall be completed by each applicant for a technology provider’s license. Each technology provider license applicant shall be subject to the investigation set forth in RSA 287-H:13 except that all investigatory reports shall be provided to the gaming oversight authority.
III. All information and data required by the gaming oversight authority, or the division of gaming enforcement to be furnished pursuant to this chapter, or which may otherwise be obtained by the gaming oversight authority, or the division of gaming enforcement in the performance of their duties under this chapter, except information regarding net machine income, shall be considered to be confidential and shall not be revealed in whole or in part except as otherwise provided by law, or upon the lawful order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or with the approval of attorney general to a duly authorized law enforcement agency.
IV. No licensee or any individual or entity that is an owner of, or has a financial interest in or with the licensee shall be permitted to make a political contribution as defined by RSA 664:2, VIII.
287-H:15 License and Investigation Fees. A non-refundable license application fee for each class or type of license to be issued under this chapter shall be $150,000. Renewal fees shall be $150,000 for each class or type of license. Upon application for a facility license, the applicant shall pay a one-time fee of 10 percent of the applicant’s bid amount under RSA 287-H:12 which will be used by the gaming oversight authority as start-up capital at each location for training and an initial bank. If the facility license applicant is not issued a license under RSA 287-H:12, the one-time application fee shall be returned to the applicant by the gaming oversight authority. If the facility license applicant is issued a license under RSA 287-H:12, the one-time application fee shall be subtracted from the amount of the bid owed by the applicant. Upon issuance of a facility licensee, the facility licensee shall pay the amount of bid owned to the gaming oversight authority. Fifteen percent of such amount shall be used by the gaming oversight authority as start-up capitol at each location for training and an initial bank and 75 percent shall be deposited in the general fund.
287-H:16 Term of License. Any facility license or technology provider’s license issued pursuant to this chapter and any renewal thereof shall be valid for 5 years unless earlier suspended or revoked by the gaming oversight authority. All licenses issued under this chapter shall be issued as a privilege and not by right. No person or entity may claim any sort of property right to, or in conjunction with, any license issued under this chapter. The gaming oversight authority shall be informed within 10 days of any anticipated change in ownership or stockholders of a licensee that would normally be subject to investigation and licensing requirements in RSA 287-H:15. Failure to inform the gaming oversight authority of said anticipated changes shall result in license revocation.
287-H:17 Distribution of Net Income; Machine Income Fund.
I. There is hereby established a machine income fund in the office of the state treasurer to be administered by the state treasurer. The fund shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the state treasurer for the purposes set forth in this section. The state treasurer shall distribute the funds on the fifth of each month as follows:
(a) Sixty percent of the annual net machine income shall be deposited in the general fund.
(b) Twelve percent of the net machine income shall be paid to the gaming oversight authority to be used to pay for the establishment, administration, and operation of the division of gaming enforcement.
(c) Nineteen percent of the net machine income shall be paid to the facility licensee as a gross lease.
(d) Six percent of the net machine income shall be paid to the technology provider for the leasing and maintenance of the video lottery machines.
(e) Two percent of the net machine income shall be paid to the centralized data provider to carry out the responsibilities outlined in this chapter.
(f) One percent of the net machine income shall be paid to the counties. Revenue shall be distributed based on each county’s population.
II. All tickets given as prizes or winnings from video lottery machines shall be redeemed for cash within one year after the date of winning. Upon the expiration of such one-year period, the value of wire deemed tickets shall be delivered to the gaming oversight authority.
III. If the gaming oversight authority has money remaining at the close of the fiscal year after covering operating costs, the gaming oversight authority, in its discretion, may distribute some or all of the excess to the counties according to each county’s population.
287-H:18 Gaming Oversight.
I. The gaming oversight authority or the division of gaming enforcement shall be present at all facility licensee locations at which video lottery machines are operated by the state at all times whether the facility is open to the public or not.
II. The division of gaming enforcement shall be present at all times when a video lottery machine is opened to remove or insert any drop box, hopper, or other mechanism containing money, tokens, or other items of value. The division of gaming enforcement shall be present in the count room at all times that money, tokens, or other items of value utilized in video lottery machines are counted.
287-H:19 Hearings; Investigations; False Statement; Enforcement Policy.
I. The gaming oversight authority shall adopt and publish rules pursuant to RSA 541-A, to govern its proceedings and to regulate the mode and manner of all investigations and hearings before it.
(a) All hearings before the gaming oversight authority shall be in accordance with RSA?541-A:31-36. In any such investigation or hearing the gaming oversight authority shall not be bound by the technical rules of evidence.
(b) The gaming oversight authority, or any member, may subpoena witnesses and administer oaths in any proceeding or examination instituted before or conducted by it, and may compel, by subpoena, the production of any accounts, books, contracts, records, documents, memoranda and papers of any kind whatever.
(c) Witnesses summoned before the superior court, and such summons issued by any justice of the peace shall have the same effect as though issued for appearance before such court. Justices of the peace and all other magistrates empowered to issue subpoenas and compel the attendance of witnesses in the courts of this state shall have the same power to compel their attendance and the production of evidence in any proceeding before the gaming oversight authority.
(d) The gaming oversight authority may apply to the superior court, under the provisions of RSA 491:19-20, to have punished for contempt any witness who refuses to obey a subpoena, or who refuses to be sworn or affirmed to testify, or who is guilty of any contempt after summons to appear.
II. If any false statement is knowingly made in any statement under oath which may be required by the provisions of this title or by the gaming oversight authority, the person making the same shall be deemed guilty of perjury. The making of any such false statement in any such application or in any such accompanying statements, whether made with or without the knowledge or consent of the applicant, shall, in the discretion of the gaming oversight authority, constitute sufficient cause for the revocation of the license.
III.(a) The gaming oversight authority shall adopt by rule, under RSA 541-A, a formal enforcement policy for licensees under its jurisdiction. This policy shall specify the disciplinary action which the gaming oversight authority shall take for violations of various laws under its jurisdiction. The enforcement policy shall also specify mitigating and aggravating factors which the gaming oversight authority shall consider in determining penalties for specific actions. The gaming oversight authority shall not suspend or revoke a license until the licensee has been provided a hearing under RSA 541-A.
(b) In applying its enforcement policy, the gaming oversight authority shall establish and enforce specific determinate penalties for specific offenses. The gaming oversight authority shall not apply penalties such as license suspensions for indefinite periods of time.
287-H:20 Suspension or Revocation; Administrative Fines.
I. If any licensee violates any of the provisions of law or any of the rules of the gaming oversight authority adopted under this title, the license may be suspended or revoked after notice and hearing, in accordance with RSA 541-A:31-36. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the gaming oversight authority, after the appropriate hearing, may impose a fine of a specific sum, which shall not be less than $1,000 nor more than $50,000 for any one offense. Such a fine may be imposed instead of, or in addition to, any suspension or revocation of a license by the gaming oversight authority.
II. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the gaming oversight authority may accept at any time, a petition from the governing body of a city or town who has voted to accept the provisions of RSA 287-H, to revoke a license held by a facility licensee who is located within that community. Any petition filed under this paragraph shall state with particularity all relevant facts and circumstances that sustain the opinion of the petitioner to revoke a license. A licensee against whom a petition is filed shall be entitled to a public hearing before any decision by the gaming oversight authority. All proceedings conducted in conjunction with this paragraph shall conform to the requirements of RSA 541-A.
III. Appeals from a decision of the gaming oversight authority shall be in accordance with RSA 541.
287-H:21 Penalties. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or any of the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if a natural person, or guilty of a felony if any other person. In case of appeal by a licensee, the license of such licensee may be suspended at the discretion of the gaming oversight authority during the pendency of such appeal.
287-H:22 Prosecutions. The gaming oversight authority shall appoint gaming investigators whose primary function shall be the proper prosecution of this chapter. The investigators shall have all the powers of the sheriff in any county, with reference to enforcement of all laws either in cooperation with, or independently of, the officers of any county or town. The gaming oversight authority shall have the primary responsibility for the enforcement of all video lottery gaming. Any person violating the provisions of any law may be prosecuted by the gaming oversight authority or any of its investigators as provided in this section, or by the attorney general, or by county or city attorneys, or by sheriffs or their deputies, or by police officials of towns.
287-H:23 Interference With Gaming Investigators. It shall be unlawful to resist or attempt to resist arrest by a gaming investigator, or to obstruct, or to intimidate or interfere with a gaming investigator in the performance of his or her duty. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
287-H:24 Fines.
I. All fines imposed by any court and collected for the violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be paid to the state, county, or town, the officials of which instituted the prosecution.
II. All fines imposed by the gaming oversight authority shall be deposited into the general fund.
287-H:25 Procedures for Adoption by Local Community.
I. Any town or city in which a facility licensee location is situated may adopt the provisions of RSA 287-H, to allow the operation of electronic games of chance, in the following manner:
(a) In a town, the question shall be placed on the warrant of a special or annual town meeting under the procedures set out in RSA 39:3, and shall be voted on a ballot; provided, however, if the question is placed on the warrant at a special town meeting, it shall be the only question at such special town meeting. In a city, the legislative body may vote to place the question on the official ballot for any regular municipal election, or, in the alternative, shall place the question on the official ballot for any regular municipal election upon submission to the legislative body of a petition signed by 5 percent of the registered voters.
(b) The selectmen, aldermen, or city council shall hold a public hearing on the question at least 15 days but not more than 30 days before the question is to be voted on. Notice of the hearing shall be posted in at least 2 public places in the municipality and published in a newspaper of general circulation at least 7 days before the hearing.
(c) The wording of the question shall be substantially as follows: “Shall we adopt the provisions of RSA 287-H, allowing the operation of electronic games of chance at the licensed facility located within the town and operated by the state?”
II. If a majority of those voting on the question vote “Yes,” RSA 287-H shall apply within the city or town.
III. If the question is not approved, the question may later be voted upon according to the provisions of paragraph I, provided, however, that the town may consider the question at no more than one special town meeting and the annual town meeting in the same calendar year.
287-H:26 Declaration of Limited Exemption. Pursuant to section 2 of an act of Congress of the United States entitled “An act to prohibit transportation of gambling devices in interstate and foreign commerce,” approved January 2, 1951, being Chapter 1194, 64 Stat. 1134, and also designated as 15 U.S.C. sections 1171-1177, the state of New Hampshire, acting by and through the duly elected and qualified members of its legislature, does hereby, in accordance with and in compliance with the provisions of that section 2 of that act of Congress, declare and proclaim that section 2 of that act of Congress shall not apply to any gambling device in this state where the transportation of such a device is specifically authorized by and done in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and any rules adopted pursuant to it, and that any such gambling device transported in compliance with state law and rules shall be exempt from the provisions of that act of Congress.
287-H:27 Legal Shipment of Gaming Devices into New Hampshire. All shipments into this state of gaming devices, the registering, recording and labeling of which has been duly made by the manufacturer or dealer in accordance with sections 3 and 4 of an act of Congress of the United States entitled “An act to prohibit transportation of gambling devices in interstate and foreign commerce,” approved January 2, 1951, being chapter 1194, 64 Stat. 1134, and also designated as 15 U.S.C. sections 1171-1172, shall be deemed legal shipments into this state.
2 New Paragraph; Attorney General; Gaming Investigators. Amend RSA 21-M:3 by inserting after paragraph VII the following new paragraph:
VII-a. The attorney general may hire investigators or contract for investigatory services to facilitate background investigations required under RSA 287-H, and said investigators shall be paid from licensing fees paid under RSA 287-H:15.
3 New Sections; Division of Gaming Enforcement. Amend RSA 21-P by inserting after section 8 the following new sections:
21-P:8-a Division of Gaming Enforcement.
I. There is hereby established a division of gaming enforcement under the supervision of an unclassified director of gaming enforcement whom shall be responsible for the following functions, in accordance with applicable laws:
(a) Manage and hire employees for the day-to-day operation of all video lottery locations ensuring the integrity of the program. Gaming enforcement employees shall be assigned to all locations and will be present at all times whether the location is open or closed.
(b) Investigate violations of RSA 284 or RSA 287-H and the rules adopted under the provisions of RSA 284 or RSA 287-H.
(c) Report the results of any investigation conducted to the gaming oversight authority.
(d) Participate in any hearing conducted by the gaming oversight authority.
II. The commissioner of safety shall organize the division into such units as the commissioner deems necessary.
21-P:8-b Powers and Duties; Gaming Enforcement. The director of gaming enforcement shall be the chief administrative officer of the division of gaming enforcement and shall have the following powers and duties:
I. The director shall manage all operations of the division of gaming enforcement and the daily operation of video lottery locations and administer and enforce the laws with which the division is charged. The director shall report directly to the gaming oversight authority.
II. The director shall have every power enumerated in the laws, whether granted to the director, the division, or any administrative unit of the division. In accordance with these provisions, the director shall:
(a) Biennially compile a comprehensive program budget which reflects all fiscal matters related to the operation of the division and each program and activity of the division.
(b) Adopt all rules of the division with approval of the gaming oversight authority, pursuant to RSA 541-A.
(c) Exercise general supervisory and appointing authority over all division employees, subject to applicable personnel statutes and rules.
(d) Delegate authority to subordinates as the director deems necessary and appropriate, except that rulemaking authority shall not be delegated. All such delegations shall be made in writing, shall be disseminated, shall clearly delineate the authority delegated and the limitations thereto, and shall be kept on file in the director’s office.
(e) Adopt practices which will improve the efficiency of the division and the provision of services to the citizens of the state.
(f) Provide cooperation, at the request of the heads of administratively attached agencies in order to:
(1) Minimize or eliminate duplication of services and jurisdictional conflicts;
(2) Coordinate activities and resolve problems of mutual concern; and
(3) Resolve by agreement the manner and extent to which the division shall provide budgeting, recordkeeping and related clerical assistance to administratively attached agencies.
(g) Give bond, and require division directors to give bond, to the state as specified in RSA?93-B.
(h) Where functions of divisions overlap or a function assigned to one division could better be performed by another division, recommend appropriate legislation to the next regular session of the general court.
III. The director shall adopt such reasonable internal practices and procedures, which shall not be considered rules subject to the provisions of RSA 541-A, as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the division and its divisions, consistent with this chapter, including without limitation a comprehensive manual of procedures for the operation of video lottery locations.
IV. The director may not accept, on behalf of the division, any grants of money without first obtaining the express consent of the legislative fiscal committee established by RSA 14:30-a.
V. The director shall have the authority to adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, necessary to assure the continuation or granting of federal funds or other assistance not otherwise provided for by law.
VI. The director may enter into contracts for services, supplies, or other needs of the division.
VII. The director shall report annually to the gaming oversight authority with respect to the division’s operation for the preceding year, and render such other reports as the governor and council, the general court, or the gaming oversight authority shall from time to time request.
VIII. The director shall develop, publish, and periodically revise an annual comprehensive plan for the division which shall indicate, among other things, the division’s goals, objectives, resources, current conditions, and needs. The director shall annually submit such comprehensive plan to the gaming oversight authority.
IX. The director, the gaming oversight authority, the commissioner of the department of safety, and if necessary, the sweepstakes commission shall jointly establish procedures for sharing data, background investigation, technology and technology providers, and facilities. These procedures shall not be considered rules subject to RSA 541-A and shall be established so as to ensure compliance with state and federal confidentiality and privacy laws.
X. If this section conflicts with other powers and duties specifically granted by statute to the director, the specific powers and duties shall control. If this section conflicts with other statutes specifically limiting the powers of the director, the specific limitations shall control.
4 Director of Gaming Enforcement; Salary. The salary for the unclassified position authorized in section 3 of this act shall be established as provided in RSA 14:14-c, RSA 17-A:7, and RSA 94:1-d.
5 New Subparagraph; Authorized Video Lottery of Games of Chance Machines Not Prohibited. Amend RSA 647:2, V by inserting after subparagraph (c) the following new subparagraph:
(d) Video lottery machines authorized pursuant to RSA 287-H.
6 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts; Machine Income Fund. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (316) the following new subparagraph:
(317) Moneys deposited in the machine income fund established under RSA 287-H:17.
7 New Paragraph; Facility Licensee; Cocktail Lounge License. Amend RSA 178:20 by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:
VI. The liquor commission may issue a special license to a person holding a facility license as defined by RSA 287-H:1, IV. Such special license shall allow the sale of liquor, wine, and beverages within the facility licensee location, including dining room, function room, gaming room, lounge, or any other area designated by the commission, without regard to whether meals are served therein, but only during the time gaming is being conducted under RSA 287-H. A person licensed under this section shall comply with RSA 179:44.
8 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
LBAO
14-2043
12/24/13
HB 1626-FN-A-LOCAL - FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT establishing up to 6 gambling establishments in the state and a gaming oversight authority and continually appropriating a special fund.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Due to time constraints, the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to provide a fiscal note for this bill, as introduced, at this time. When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.