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1 New Section; Historic Horse Racing; Local Option. Amend RSA 284 by inserting after section 22-b the following new section:
284:22-c Local Option.
I. Any town or city may prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing according to the provisions of this subdivision, in the following manner:
(a) In a town, the question shall be placed on the warrant of an annual town meeting under the procedures set out in RSA 39:3, and shall be voted on a ballot. 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 prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing within the town or city?"
II. If a majority of those voting on the question vote "Yes," the lottery commission shall not issue licenses pursuant to RSA 284:12-a to entities offering pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing within the town or city.
III. If the question is not approved, the question may later be voted upon according to the provisions of paragraph I at the next annual town meeting or regular municipal election.
IV. A municipality that has voted to prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing may consider rescinding its action in the manner described in paragraph I of this section.
IV-a. An unincorporated place may prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing by majority vote of the county delegation, after a public hearing is held.
V. The lottery commission shall maintain a list of municipalities where the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing is prohibited.
VI. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, entities licensed to sell pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing located within municipalities which vote to prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing shall be permitted to operate until the expiration of their current license, provided that such license shall not be renewed by the lottery commission.
2 New Paragraph; Pari-Mutuel Pools on Historic Horse Races. Amend RSA 284:22-b by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:
IX. No license to sell pari-mutuel pools on historic horse races shall be issued for establishments located within municipalities which have voted to prohibit such operation pursuant to RSA 284:22-c, provided that licensees located within such municipalities shall be permitted to operate until the expiration of their current license.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Historic Horse Racing; Local Option. Amend RSA 284 by inserting after section 22-b the following new section:
284:22-c Local Option.
I. Any town or city may prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing according to the provisions of this subdivision, in the following manner:
(a) In a town, the question shall be placed on the warrant of an annual town meeting under the procedures set out in RSA 39:3, and shall be voted on a ballot. 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 prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing within the town or city?"
II. If a majority of those voting on the question vote "Yes," the lottery commission shall not issue licenses pursuant to RSA 284:12-a to entities offering pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing within the town or city.
III. If the question is not approved, the question may later be voted upon according to the provisions of paragraph I at the next annual town meeting or regular municipal election.
IV. A municipality that has voted to prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing may consider rescinding its action in the manner described in paragraph I of this section.
IV-a. An unincorporated place may prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing by majority vote of the county delegation, after a public hearing is held.
V. The lottery commission shall maintain a list of municipalities where the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing is prohibited.
VI. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, entities licensed to sell pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing located within municipalities which vote to prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel pool wagers on historic horse racing shall be permitted to operate until the expiration of their current license, provided that such license shall not be renewed by the lottery commission.
2 New Paragraph; Pari-Mutuel Pools on Historic Horse Races. Amend RSA 284:22-b by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:
IX. No license to sell pari-mutuel pools on historic horse races shall be issued for establishments located within municipalities which have voted to prohibit such operation pursuant to RSA 284:22-c, provided that licensees located within such municipalities shall be permitted to operate until the expiration of their current license.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.