[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6631951,"mediaKeyId","2676183-684d7c2bee5435581f2c905f75b04bf7","parentId",2676183,"title","Lawmakers introduce competing plans to allow video lottery terminals and expand charitable gaming","audioSeconds",1050,"startMs",19620000,"endMs",20670000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676183-684d7c2bee5435581f2c905f75b04bf7&start=19620&end=20670","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676183-684d7c2bee5435581f2c905f75b04bf7/thumbnail_19620000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631951/New-Hampshire/Lawmakers-introduce-competing-plans-to-allow-video-lottery-terminals-and-expand-charitable-gaming","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631951-cb4c4be17133e05de6a63a45d038a349/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116397&Signature=pALdZIWf1F~QuOf8UnM6E0nbM0zyopS~Llq9XWLNBCrM5l0JWkQu4H36phbDeng1kFdHz6xPAd5WH4WQOrvs~kO8vM~wBORPuERDfI6Fo3L1jfDeTofez6xS4XRO-CE6f48hoNkrTY2zL8CXQUVwkFXMnQEGRem4NdsvogWFaY-zwAwq2RlLAy76tWcBxqPuBIkxj08u0m7nno5w1Ueup-rKKfz6Nzc-u9YFUqHz5GpZDCM3s3jdnD3noxmqZAo4b9r~ga~5~3MsTVHZLeFJR4Gl5DcI9s1-S8k6l9A6olM-ewaeoqsxhTQphHAvgIaXPHL2ZbrdkOFKlfv6inwaUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Hampshire Legislature","date","2025-03-18T20:39:45.39Z","article","Two House members briefed Finance Division II on proposals to legalize or expand video lottery machines and related charitable gaming rules and described how the changes could generate significant revenue for the state and for nonprofit beneficiaries.

Representative Dan McGuire outlined a draft to place video lottery terminals (VLTs) in locations that today can be licensed for Keno or charitable gaming. He cited examples from other states and described a fiscal model used in a prior draft that projected large gains in later years once an industry ramped up. \"This fiscal note...would come in year 3,\" he said, noting the state could see large increases in gross gaming revenue as operators and machines scaled up.

Representative Joe Sweeney presented a separate, more detailed amendment intended as a replacement for a governor‑proposed video lottery section in HB 2. Sweeney said his change would set a 30% tax on VLT gross revenue (the governor's draft used a higher rate), allocate roughly 25% of the tax proceeds to charitable partners, dedicate roughly 0.25% for problem‑gambling services and send the remainder to the Education Trust Fund. Sweeney also proposed removing statutory caps on maximum wagers so New Hampshire facilities would be competitive with neighboring states, and he included a local opt‑in for municipalities to allow extended hours or 24‑hour operations subject to local agreement with an operator.

Both lawmakers said the state could generate tens of millions in new revenue over the biennium if an operator network develops and argued the changes would allow charities to share in a larger market and help state education funding. Committee members asked the lottery director be consulted about the revenue estimates and asked for concrete projections on how quickly machines would come online and how many would operate in each year. The committee did not vote on either proposal and asked staff to coordinate further drafting and fiscal analysis.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Finance Division II (03/18/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","Two House members presented competing proposals to allow video lottery terminals in licensed establishments and to change charitable‑gaming rules, arguing the measures could produce tens of millions in state revenue and more for charities.","taxTitle","Finance - Division II, House of Representatives, Committees\t, Legislative, New Hampshire","taxId",17751,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631956,"DMV lays out widespread fee increases and warns eliminating state vehicle inspections would cost the state millions",635,13790000,14425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676183-684d7c2bee5435581f2c905f75b04bf7&start=13790&end=14425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676183-684d7c2bee5435581f2c905f75b04bf7/thumbnail_13790000.jpg","/articles/6631956/New-Hampshire/DMV-lays-out-widespread-fee-increases-and-warns-eliminating-state-vehicle-inspections-would-cost-the-state-millions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631956-0aed1842c954a74ddee2843733fc374c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116397&Signature=EgnxmiZBfBFDDTwfBnHMVJejk6jwSIPo0~VXU6-tLN7iNIXNAQjFFUv6Mep9wXCz2TWABKM62UTPl4YbRhyEEnAjn1Upw8IneW4DTtcHHXDgWMHP0flTz6uLmsvhe0qXC7bsumzzzawytdyK0APSjPdwJ2v6BCLNpWviSjaDfAGoGRQZTFczVVe0qZcgHekCckO6sFHNuPSp8LTqS8wEkEo8q5eZZ2rEsAg-W-WBCbEdnRUGQqrBit1bJyAaLI6OgoH7BmJQBsyRmwgnP3PHUbiYWwq-D0cJz7sKkXSmUKwMHHujNseoQyvDZ9emeuuR6zi8dQ5rwRk9T4LtVfQ4JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Motor Vehicles presented a multi-page fee proposal to the Finance Division II that would update fees that in many cases have not changed for more than two decades and estimated the total scope of revenue affected in the tens of millions of dollars.

DMV staff said many license, title and registration fees have been unchanged for 20–25 years. Department staff and members proposed a set of incremental changes — for example increasing small registration fees for agricultural and specialized vehicles, raising certificate‑of‑title fees toward surrounding‑state levels and increasing plate fees to cover the actual production cost. The department estimated the proposed package would increase revenue by millions of dollars over the biennium; a consolidated estimate presented to the committee showed total state fees in the DMV portfolio at roughly $40.8 million (exclusive of boating fees), with potential increases shown in a spreadsheet the department provided to the committee.

On a separate legislative matter, DMV officials warned the panel that HB 649 — a proposal to eliminate the state's vehicle safety inspection program — would cause major revenue losses in the highway fund because the state collects a $3.25 inspection sticker fee per passing inspection. \"For last year, 2024, with 1.6 million vehicles that had a safety inspection and passed at the $3.25 mark...you're looking at about $5,200,000 yearly in lost revenue to the state,\" Director John Marasco told the committee; when failed inspections and OBD failures are added, the department said the net annual loss could approach $6,000,000.

DMV staff said the program is largely self‑funded and that eliminating it would reduce staff costs but not by the full amount of lost inspection revenue. \"There is the potential to reduce about eight positions tied to the inspection program,\" Marasco said, adding that many of those employees perform other duties and the department estimated possible biennial payroll savings at roughly $1.5 million after accounting for the staff the agency could not immediately reassign.

Members pressed the department for more precise numbers for both lost revenue and potential savings; committee staff and DMV agreed to confer offline and provide revised, more granular estimates. Separately, DMV staff said they will prepare a formal amendment based on the fee spreadsheet and the committee indicated support for drafting language to update long‑stale fees so they can be taken up in the HB 2 negotiation.","The Department of Motor Vehicles presented a draft set of fee increases that would raise tens of millions for the highway fund and said removing the state's vehicle safety inspection requirement (HB 649) would cut revenue by an estimated $5–6 million per year and produce only partial payroll savings.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631961,"Lawmakers question use of E‑911 surcharge funds for state radio system as fund nears insolvency",1455,11520000,12975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676183-684d7c2bee5435581f2c905f75b04bf7&start=11520&end=12975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676183-684d7c2bee5435581f2c905f75b04bf7/thumbnail_11520000.jpg","/articles/6631961/New-Hampshire/Lawmakers-question-use-of-E911-surcharge-funds-for-state-radio-system-as-fund-nears-insolvency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631961-1ae95a257cc59a1f02c0d8657535de0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116397&Signature=bizVdmc28N3BtkgRkUhL2F~VKg7YYX3ukZavhWOhDUZg489Apy8BMRuGCAHlIeWmsfuE-~REX9gSIuQYrNOXooKmfFeWqUTPNE4f345~v5UPxkYJxWeHApHjV8kkB17H0-GbEveyO9tqWur-~XL2hmsxVHn-eRiFve9vwHDSFApyBeVG6cPGW4d-o20nwZQ9-ENCnarCFyS4w02IYuL3tvOiqY4-4EZEGJKGacS0YJiJWcMnin58enFkLu3Gl0oC3qRnzFCo1D6w-kMwC4p6bMo1Io0Qmeu7LbVVFOmhgKVEzE4UmbX88u73mmO35VmtamQokEbLkmluEk9HmUEAyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the House Finance Division II pressed Department of Safety officials on Monday about the long‑running practice of using enhanced 9‑1‑1 surcharge funds to cover operational expenses for the state's radio communications backbone.

Assistant directors from the division that runs the statewide emergency communications and the department's administration said the 47‑site radio system provides multiple functions beyond radio voice dispatch, including delivering data and fallback telephone service to emergency communications centers. \"It does actually connect our PSAPs and does actually transport 9 1 1 calls,\" said Tim Scott, assistant director for the department's technical side, describing the network's role in voice, data and redundancy.

Several lawmakers, including Representative Hacken Phillips, said RSA 106‑H — the statute creating the enhanced 9‑1‑1 surcharge — does not explicitly authorize using dedicated surcharge revenue to pay for operational costs of the state radio network. Phillips warned that about $2,000,000 a year has been applied to the radio system and said the enhanced‑9‑1‑1 fund would become insolvent without a surcharge increase. \"When you spend $2,000,000 a year out of this fund that may or may not be appropriate under state law, you are sacrificing the need to spend that $2,000,000 on other emergency services that would be used under this fund,\" she said.

Department officials told the committee the system provides interoperability for county, state and local dispatch centers, and said joining the state core can save individual agencies money on vendor fees. Robert Lucier, assistant director for PSAP operations, said allowing local dispatch centers to join the core has already reduced costs for some jurisdictions and improved redundancy: \"It's becoming more important because everything we do is media diversity, carrier diversity when it comes to delivering data.\"

Committee members asked the department to propose alternative accounting and funding scenarios so the committee could weigh whether the radio system's costs should be kept in the dedicated E‑911 fund, moved to another account, or apportioned between accounts. \"If we're okay with that, then I think you should accept the language in HB2. But I know that this committee has spent time thinking about the importance of keeping dedicated funds for their dedicated uses and trying to find solutions when funds are insolvent,\" Representative Hacken Phillips said.

Officials said the Public Utilities Commission has recently approved a surcharge increase requested by the Enhanced 9‑1‑1 Commission, a move intended to shore up the fund; committee members asked the department to return with a suggested split of costs that would separate radio operations from the E‑911 fund or otherwise explain alternatives. The committee did not vote on a change and asked directors to return with proposals.","Members of Finance Division II pressed Department of Safety officials on whether enhanced 9‑1‑1 surcharge proceeds should pay for the state's 47‑site radio communications backbone, raising concerns about dedicated-fund use and the fund's solvency.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631966,"Committee advances bill to place mile markers on Kancamagus Highway",957,315000,1272000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676183-684d7c2bee5435581f2c905f75b04bf7&start=315&end=1272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676183-684d7c2bee5435581f2c905f75b04bf7/thumbnail_315000.jpg","/articles/6631966/New-Hampshire/Committee-advances-bill-to-place-mile-markers-on-Kancamagus-Highway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631966-7130a50d34ff1e8e52bf068873cf921c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116397&Signature=BUyEHf6l7UmC-ntXsiKpUw-u-UnAEbx1GQ2nn2D7RNCINFwnSvxIeN1zLVNRvnkPWefryU8pFSazlkWk1Zr84cJhwfpDo~HZq6IAItCKTqruk42uv22om7P3lH5Xs85Iqo8-yRBiNM51-dSzcchO0-ZQ98v9aeX2mRfADM0XFKXJoCuFsEHcEBmcgERM1fwa-KYRh87ghKwV4RR~3~pdKYjYWpeZQTib6IK8TP9j~3UXyYw2pL1WfCiyb1LrttNEej8TSTHSVHKKQVgVDYIw3-Xv34ZfxyJKyqaxa4Vo-5CwSNVMM~iB8TOA3EuSKabXP8Hrxom4f1Yc0QMhm3zVfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A House Finance subcommittee on Monday voted to advance HB 713, a bill that would require mile markers along a roughly 32-mile stretch of Route 112, commonly known as the Kancamagus Highway.

Supporters said the route between Lincoln and Conway is isolated, has spotty cell and radio coverage and poses a public-safety challenge when visitors or residents report crashes or medical emergencies without a precise location. \"There's a 32 mile stretch of road between Lincoln and Conway with no service. There's virtually no cell or emergency radio service, through much of its length,\" Representative William (Stringham) told the panel. \"What typically happens is a good samaritan wanders by and says I'll call and get some help for you and they may have traveled 5 or more miles past 3 campgrounds...by the time they get down to where they can make a call, the 911 or the police hear something like it's by the hiking trail not knowing whether it's the Osceola, Hancock, Flume, or Moosilauke that they were at.\"

Committee members and the bill sponsor discussed details the Department of Transportation (DOT) will need to resolve, including the desired spacing of markers and how to avoid placing signs where they would block driveways or trailheads. \"There's somewhat of a difference in how frequently you need mile markers here...somebody just needs to, you know, travel 800 feet and see there's another sign,\" Stringham said, arguing the statutory language should give DOT flexibility on spacing and design.

Stringham told the committee DOT considers a range of spacing from two-tenths of a mile up to one mile and that the department and sponsor plan to work out details before final action. Witnesses and committee members said the project can be completed using non-general funds. Representative Papovich moved that the committee find the bill \"Ought to Pass\" and the motion was advanced out of the subcommittee.

The sponsor and DOT staff said they expect some minor, friendly amendments at full finance to make the language flexible for local input, materials and design. The bill was advanced with the understanding DOT and the sponsor will coordinate language before the measure moves to the full finance committee.

Votes at a glance: the subcommittee approved advancing HB 713 (vote recorded as \"motion passed\" in the transcript).","A Finance subcommittee voted to advance HB 713, a bill directing the Department of Transportation to place mile markers along a long, isolated stretch of Route 112 (the Kancamagus Highway) to help emergency responders and visitors locate incidents.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers introduce competing plans to allow video lottery terminals and expand charitable gaming

DMV lays out widespread fee increases and warns eliminating state vehicle inspections would cost the state millions

Lawmakers question use of E‑911 surcharge funds for state radio system as fund nears insolvency

Committee advances bill to place mile markers on Kancamagus Highway