This bill allows municipalities to hold a referendum to prohibit the sale of pari-mutuel wagers on historic horse racing. It introduces a new section, RSA 284:22-c, which outlines the process for towns and cities to place the question on their ballots, conduct public hearings, and ultimately vote on whether to ban such wagers. If a majority votes "Yes," the lottery commission will not issue licenses for pari-mutuel wagering in that municipality. The bill also allows municipalities that have voted to prohibit these wagers to reconsider their decision in future elections. Additionally, it specifies that unincorporated places can prohibit wagers through a majority vote of the county delegation after a public hearing.

The bill amends RSA 284:22-b to state that no new licenses for pari-mutuel pools on historic horse races will be issued in municipalities that have voted to prohibit such operations, although existing licensees can continue to operate until their current licenses expire. The effective date of the bill is set for January 1, 2026. The fiscal impact is indeterminable, as it is unclear how many municipalities may choose to prohibit historic horse racing wagers, which could significantly affect state revenue from this source.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 284:22-b
HB668 text: 284:22-b