HB 1434-LOCAL - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2294
08/09
HOUSE BILL 1434-LOCAL
AN ACT enabling municipalities to vote to allow the sale of Keno.
SPONSORS: Rep. Turcotte, Straf. 4; Rep. Kuttab, Rock. 17; Rep. B. Boyd, Hills. 12; Rep. Maggiore, Rock. 23; Rep. Nelson, Rock. 13; Rep. Porcelli, Rock. 19; Rep. Preece, Hills. 17; Rep. Gilman, Rock. 11; Rep. Fracht, Graf. 16; Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9
COMMITTEE: Municipal and County Government
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ANALYSIS
This bill enables municipalities to vote to allow the sale of Keno and repeals prospective law that would only allow municipalities to opt out of Keno.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2294
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT enabling municipalities to vote to allow the sale of Keno.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Local Option; Keno. RSA 284:51 is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
284:51 Local Option.
I. Any town or city may allow the operation of keno games 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 allow the operation of keno games within the town or city?”
II. If a majority of those voting on the question vote “Yes,” keno games may be operated 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 allow the operation of keno games may consider rescinding its action in the manner described in paragraph I of this section.
V. An unincorporated place may allow the operation of keno games by majority vote of the county delegation, after a public hearing is held.
VI. The lottery commission shall maintain a list of municipalities where keno is available.
2 Repeal. The following are repealed:
I. 2025, 288:2, relative to Keno administration and enforcement.
II. 2025, 288:3, relative to Keno license applications.
III. 2025, 288:5, relative to Keno operation permitted.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 3, 2026 | House | Hearing |
Jan. 28, 2026: Public Hearing: 02/03/2026 11:55 am GP 154
Dec. 4, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Municipal and County Government