Keene committee delays decision on Keno ballot language pending state action

An unidentified councilor (speaker 2) asked the Keene Finance, Organization and Personnel Committee to place opt-out language on the municipal ballot should House Bill 7 37 be enacted. The speaker said HB 7 37 would change New Hampshire’s Keno model from an opt‑in system to an opt‑out system effective June 1, 2027, meaning municipalities that do not vote to opt out would have Keno allowed by default.

City staff (speaker 9) and several councilors warned that the bill contains strict timing requirements for public hearings and ballot scheduling, and that the city clerk’s office must be involved to ensure the required 15–30 day public‑hearing window prior to any vote. Committee members expressed differing preferences: some favored sending a conditional request to council that would be triggered if the governor signs the bill; others preferred postponing until the law is final to avoid procedural complications.

After discussion the committee moved to put the matter on more time for additional explanation and to allow staff to prepare operational details; the motion to place the item on more time passed on a recorded vote of 3–1. Committee members noted that the full council retains the ability to act later and that more detailed clerk’s‑office guidance will be needed if the bill advances.

What happens next: staff will prepare more detailed information about the public‑hearing and ballot‑processing requirements for the committee and the clerk’s office before further action. The committee did not forward a definitive ballot question to the council at this meeting.