Video & Transcript : 'Olympic Games' :
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WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Start with the gaming amendments. Start with the gaming commission.
- </c> this bill was to make our gaming this bill was to make our gaming commission<00:19:58.080><c> more
- </c> that uh resides with uh the gaming that uh resides with uh the gaming commission.<00:26:01.360><
- </c><00:47:30.880><c> In</c> Horse Racing's gaming facilities. In Horse Racing's gaming facilities.
- As you know, the gaming commission.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Governmental Organization Committee Sep 2nd, 2025
Governmental Organization
Transcript Highlights:
- The four Tribal-State Gaming Compacts before us today were executed between Governor Newsom on behalf
- The four tribal-state gaming compacts before us today were executed between Governor Newsom on behalf
- compacts is set out by a federal law called the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
- The state also agreed that if the state ever legalized new forms of class three gaming, that it would
- bargain in good faith to address those new forms of class three gaming.
Committee:
House Governmental Organization
Summary:
The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee held an informational hearing on four Tribal-State Gaming Compacts and amendments, with Chair Blanca Rubio noting that no formal vote would be taken because the Legislature cannot amend the compacts. The hearing was framed as a briefing on AB 1527 and SB 864, the ratification bills for the agreements, and committee members were told the compacts reflect negotiations under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and recent Ninth Circuit guidance in Chicken Rancheria v. State of California.
Governor’s Office Senior Advisor Matthew Lee explained the first compact, with the Sherwood Valley Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria, as a 25-year agreement consistent with recent compacts: up to 1,200 gaming devices at three facilities, worker protections through a tribal labor relations ordinance, minimum wage and anti-harassment/retaliation provisions, state regulatory cost recovery, and revenue-sharing tied to operations above 350 devices. He said the second item, a fourth amendment with the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, would extend the existing compact to preserve the status quo while the parties continue litigating in federal court, and would add the state’s standard off-track wagering appendix.
Lee then described the first amendment with the Pinoleville Pomo Nation as an update to an older compact to align it with current law and recent agreements, including removal of environmental review and family law provisions, narrowing of tort requirements, revised revenue-sharing, and updated financial disclosure rules. For the first amendment with the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, Lee said the parties used a collaborative dispute-resolution process to remove Chicken Ranch-related provisions, narrow tort and facility definitions, extend the compact through 2016, and add a commitment to bargain in good faith over any future legalization of new class III gaming forms. Sycuan Chairman Cody Martinez testified in support, thanking the Governor’s Office and noting the tribe employs more than 3,000 people, most of whom are non-Indian, and that the tribe has operated Indian gaming since 1983. No opposition was recorded, and the committee adjourned after the presentations.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Oct 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So how much revenue does it generate versus other gaming?
- They've voided bets on games. We call it off the board.
- Are there gambling limits on sports games? Are there gambling limits on sports games?
- We set internal limits for games that are a little more obscure.
- that game as well as we would an NFL game, where we may take $100,000 bets as opposed to maybe $1,000
Summary:
The House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee held a field hearing on the Puyallup Reservation, where members first received an overview of sports betting in Washington. Tribal casino representatives and the Washington State Gambling Commission explained that sports betting became legal in 2020 under HB 2638 and is currently limited to tribal casinos through sportsbook, kiosk, and on-premise mobile wagering. Testimony covered how odds are set, compliance with federal anti-money-laundering rules, and the role of third-party vendors. Tribal representatives said sports betting supports tribal economic development and asked to expand betting to include Washington college teams, while warning that prediction markets and other unregulated products pose a threat. Committee members asked about geo-fencing, betting limits, in-state college betting restrictions, and regulatory oversight. No votes were taken.
The committee then heard from Vicki Lowe of the American Indian Health Commission on tribal data sovereignty and health data. She described tribal sovereignty and the federal trust responsibility, and said tribes should have equitable access to their own health data and control over how it is used. She explained that during COVID, tribes often lacked direct access to state health data, which complicated case tracing and other public health work. Lowe said the Department of Health stopped collecting tribal affiliation in some contexts because of Public Records Act concerns, and she argued that this is inconsistent with tribal data-sharing principles adopted through the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council. Members asked for clarification about what counts as tribal data and how public records concerns affected data collection. No formal action was taken.
Finally, Lucy Smartlut gave an update on the Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force. She reported on the task force’s structure, its extension through 2027, and progress on recommendations including a fully funded cold case investigation unit in the Attorney General’s office, an updated missing persons resource, and forensic genetic genealogy work on unidentified remains. She said the cold case unit has active investigations, has helped locate missing Indigenous people, and made its first homicide arrest. She also presented data showing Native people are disproportionately represented among homicide and missing persons cases, and noted survey findings that many law enforcement agencies rely on officer observation for race data and have limited consultation with tribes. Committee members asked about funding, interagency coordination, and whether the task force is shifting toward prevention. The presenter said sustainability, continued awareness, and stronger collaboration remain priorities, and no vote was taken.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- them up to 10 days of gaming time.
- charities into our gaming facilities. 73 charities have access to gaming and 73 charities have access
- </c> gaming facilities. gaming facilities. >> Followup,<01:36:47.520><c> Mr.
- </c> cities where the game operator is cities where the game operator is located. located. located.
- than games of different than games than games of chance,<01:52:08.080><c> poker,</c><01:52:08.400><c
Committee:
House Ways and Means
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 14, 2026 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- The new American Gaming Association announced reveals illegal and unregulated gaming operations account
- There are still the other games they play like Queen of Hearts.
- I don't know if you are familiar with that, but that is a card game.
- There are other games that can be played. What if you do... is a nonprofit.
- That is a gaming device what you are using and operating.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 5, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Next up, we have a presentation by the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
- She's the very new executive director for the Florida Gaming Control Commission.
- games, and sports wagering, in exchange for the revenue share.
- Welcome to the IPA, but welcome to the Gaming Commission.
- He is over gaming; he's the director of gaming enforcement.
Summary:
The subcommittee first took up House Bill 197, which would require all private employers in Florida, regardless of size, to use E-Verify for new hires and eliminate the current exemption for businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The sponsor said the system is free, uses information already collected on I-9 forms, and helps employers confirm work authorization; supporters argued it simply enforces existing law and closes a gap in current requirements. Opponents, including labor and policy groups, said the bill would burden small businesses, could produce errors, and should be addressed through comprehensive federal immigration reform rather than state mandates. Members also raised concerns about implementation, enforcement, and potential impacts on workers and employers in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, and small business. The committee voted along party lines to report HB 197 favorably.
The committee then received an update from the Florida Gaming Control Commission, beginning with new Executive Director Alana Zimmer and then Director of Gaming Enforcement Carl Harold. Zimmer outlined the commission’s structure, staffing, legal slot and card room locations, and the Seminole gaming compact, noting that changes in state law or court rulings could affect compact revenue. Members asked for additional information on salaries, commission vacancies, and how veterans’ organizations can determine whether gaming machines are legal. Harold described the commission’s enforcement work against illegal casinos, saying they are widespread, often exploit vulnerable patrons, and can be tied to organized crime, weapons, drugs, and other offenses.
Harold reported thousands of complaints, more than 4,000 illegal slot machines seized, over 100 illegal casinos raided, millions in proceeds recovered, and numerous arrests and joint operations with other agencies. He said the main barriers are weak misdemeanor penalties and limited staffing, and requested two additional enforcement squads, one in southwest Florida and one in Jacksonville. Members questioned the cost of the request, storage of seized machines, coordination with local law enforcement, and how the public can report illegal gambling. The commission said it works with local agencies, has many MOUs, and directs the public to its website and law enforcement hotline for reporting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The dogs are judged on their ability, and no game is harvested during that time.
- Even if they're not harvesting any game, it's strictly required.
- Are the dogs taking any game? Not intentionally, but by accident?
- the dog took game, and the game went up the tree, climbing.
- We've had some game wardens show up and say, "Hey, where are your hunting licenses?"
Committee:
House Culture, Recreation & Tourism
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, I think that would really come down to the Gaming Commission.
- There is a set of standards that have been established for Class III gaming.
- Well, I think that would that really come down to the Gaming Commission.
- There is a set of standards that have been established for Class 3 gaming.
- The Gaming Commission has not laid out what would be reviewed on a Class II versus Class III gaming machine
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 80, the Parks Preservation Act, which would define state park purposes around conservation-based recreation and public access, prohibit uses such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and hotels, require more public notice and advisory input on land management changes, and mandate reporting on park spending and maintenance backlogs. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with conservation groups, youth advocates, and other members of the public backing stronger protections for state parks. The bill was reported favorably.
Members then approved SB 200, directing DEP to develop a statewide waste reduction and recycling plan, and CS for SB 496, which clarifies that timeshare facilities are governed by Chapter 721 and only need annual board meetings. CS for CS for SB 1404, dealing with illegal gambling, was amended to add reporting requirements, tighten penalties, preempt local gambling legalization, and create a process for vetting certain machines and veteran-service-organization gaming questions; the bill drew significant concern from veterans groups and others over vague machine definitions and the need for clearer standards, but it was still reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 622 to allow pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities across horse-racing classes.
The committee next approved CS for CS for SB 712 after adopting a strike-all and amendment that covered synthetic turf rules, change-order timelines, public works scoring, elevator and alarm contractor issues, mass timber code updates, pool and spa contractor scope changes, spaceport building-code exemptions, and solar/energy-storage inspection provisions. Support came from timber, construction, and industry groups, while pool contractors objected to parts of the scope changes. The committee also reported favorably CS for CS for SB 1742, a major condominium reform bill that pauses reserve funding after milestone inspections, expands financial flexibility, adds disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, and increases data collection and oversight; members from both parties praised the sponsor’s work on condo issues.
Finally, the committee approved SB 1574 on renewable natural gas infrastructure and SB 1580 authorizing DEP coastal resiliency public-private partnerships. It also passed CS for SB 1760, which requires certain public officials and agency leaders to meet Florida residency or proximity requirements. The last bill, SB 820, would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office; while supporters said it would permanently support faith-based and community organizations and improve coordination, several senators raised concerns about church-state separation, the office’s ties to Hope Florida, and whether codifying it could make the program more political. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 15, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Gaming has been estimated to support 73,000 jobs.
- That's coming from the American Gaming Association.
- Gaming has been estimated to support 73,000 jobs.
- That's coming from the American Gaming Association.
- at the future of the gaming system here in the state and provide and look at the future of the gaming
Summary:
The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding.
Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach.
Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Hauschild has the right to go to that game, but that game may be cancelled.
- That game may be postponed.
- Senator Hauschild has the right to go to that game, but that game may be cancelled.
- That game may be postponed. That game may be postponed.
- </c><00:01:52.000><c> be</c> to that game, but that game may be to that game, but that game may be cancelled
Committee:
Senate Taxes
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 18, March 3, 2026-PM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The game of first makes the request.
- It would add a new paragraph P for card games and games of chance, excluding class 3 gaming sponsored
- We're going to add a new paragraph P for card games and games of chance excluding class 3 gaming sponsored
- </c><00:44:14.800><c> If</c> participating in class 3 gaming. If participating in class 3 gaming.
- class 3 gaming and the gaming<00:44:21.680><c> commission</c><00:44:22.079><c> now</c><00:44:22.319>
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (01/15/2025)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- The Fishing Game Commission requested this bill as a housekeeping measure.
- It really is largely... members of the fishing game staff here members of the fishing game staff here
- website, or the fishing game website?
- </c> words and linked on fish and game words and linked on fish and game website<00:28:43.559><c> or<
- </c><00:41:22.480><c> all</c> further questions for fishing game all further questions for fishing game
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (05/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Next up is Fish and Game. Next up is Fish and Game, HB 2548.
- </c> Hampshire Fish and Game. Um, thank you. Hampshire Fish and Game. Um, thank you.
- However, the department manages our game species.
- However, the department manages our game species.
- </c><00:42:46.560><c> catch</c> that fish and game has i.e. catch that fish and game has i.e. catch perunit
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, approving the consent calendar and the minutes. It then took up a Department of Employment Security rule, 24193, where the only issue was that a form had not been incorporated by reference. The department submitted an oral conditional approval request with revised language, and the committee approved the rule conditionally. A second Employment Security rule, 195, raised concerns that the notice language was too broad and vague and could amount to oral rulemaking; because the agency had not yet finalized revised language, the committee granted a one-month waiver so the rule could return next month with a conditional approval proposal.
The Department of Safety’s contact person notification program rule, 24237, drew comments about Social Security number collection, unclear drafting on one section, and ambiguity about which application needed a signature. The agency agreed to remove Social Security number references from the rules and forms and to adopt the suggested clarifying language with minor edits. After discussion about why the identifiers were needed, the committee approved the rule conditionally with the oral changes. The committee then moved a previously consent-calendar item, OPLC rule 2547, off consent after Representative Maguire objected that the renewal application form was too health-care-focused and user-unfriendly for other professions; the agency said it would revisit the form, and the committee postponed action until next month without needing a waiver.
The final major item was Fish and Game’s HB 2548, which changes licensing and permit rules for taking deer, bear, moose, turkey, and furbearing animals. Staff noted extensive public testimony, including a coalition submission, and said the main dispute was over what data the agency should rely on in setting seasons and take limits. Fish and Game explained that declining trapper participation made capture-per-unit-effort data less reliable, so it also uses hunter surveys and UNH research projects funded in part by federal money; the agency said current trapping removals are very low and do not appear to threaten populations. Committee members and public witnesses questioned whether the agency’s responses to comments were sufficiently specific under the new public-comment law, but no final vote on the Fish and Game rule was taken in the portion provided.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee
Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And so the process is that ADOT, in consultation with the Game and Fish and with the parks and with Game
- Game and Fish Department if a person purchases a non-resident OHV indicium from the Arizona Game and
- You have Operation Game Thief, 100%.
- Some of that would go to Arizona Game and Fish and some of that would go to state land.
- I've been out on the Kofa Game Range.
Summary:
The Arizona Off-Road Vehicle Study Committee met to review Senate Bill 1519 and broader OHV policy issues, including funding, mitigation, enforcement, and education. Staff summarized the bill’s amended provisions: raising the OHV/ATV weight threshold from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds, directing ADOT to create a new usage classification, creating an Off-Highway Vehicle Law Enforcement Fund, and setting a 50% vehicle license tax for vehicles in the 2,500–3,500 pound range. Members discussed how many vehicles would be affected, with industry testimony estimating about 2,600 new Arizona sales in that weight class in 2025 and growth of roughly 10% annually. Committee members also debated whether changes should be revenue-neutral to ADOT/HIRF or instead generate dedicated enforcement and mitigation funding without reopening HIRF distribution.
The committee then turned to education. Staff reviewed SB 1567, which requires OHV course completion before issuance of an OHV indicia and includes a report due December 1, 2026. Game and Fish said the mandatory education appears to be improving behavior, especially helmet use by children. Several witnesses, including representatives from Riding Arizona and ABATE Arizona, supported a consistent statewide training model and suggested expanding the requirement from owners to operators, with possible reciprocity or compact-style recognition with other states. Members also raised practical questions about proof of completion, online access, and how law enforcement would verify compliance.
For mitigation and enforcement funding, committee members and invited stakeholders discussed the scale of the need. A research presentation from Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation estimated about $3.5 million annually for additional law enforcement and about $7.5 million annually for natural resource mitigation, for a combined target of roughly $11 million per year. The estimate was based on county sheriff input and existing federal land-management data on illegal or user-created roads, with a statewide rough range of 12,000 to 17,000 miles of roads needing some form of closure or decommissioning. Members emphasized that the estimate did not include all possible costs, such as fence repair, tank restoration, or environmental compliance, and discussed soft versus hard closures, prevention, and the need to pair any mitigation spending with enforcement and education. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received information, asked questions, and continued discussion of possible recommendations.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- as they come forward with different types of games.
- We're just amusement game operators, our members.
- Thank you. ...to individuals as they come forward with different types of games.
- We're just amusement game operators, our members.
- Senator Pizzo, for your amusement games, does it take cash? I'm sorry.
Committee:
Senate Regulated Industries
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and advanced several bills, with the most extensive discussion centered on condominium issues, gambling enforcement, and public safety. CS/SB 592 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program was amended to clarify the three-story eligibility threshold and to add sliding glass door wind-driven rain mitigation devices as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program failed on a 3-4 roll call vote, and the bill was then reported favorably. Members also took up CS/SB 1742, a broad condominium and cooperative association reform bill, which would give associations more flexibility on reserves after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over certain spending increases, improve disclosure and conflict-of-interest rules, expand data collection, and extend some disclosure rescission periods; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably.
The committee also approved CS/SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit leasing, as amended to allow leasing to same-class permit holders or Hialeah permit holders and to make related wagering licenses discretionary rather than automatic. SB 1404 on illegal gambling was reported favorably after amendments allowing veterans organizations to seek declaratory rulings on machine compliance and adding ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel; a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property was withdrawn. Testimony on that bill came from prosecutors, the Gaming Control Commission, veterans groups, and amusement machine operators, with supporters emphasizing organized crime enforcement and opponents seeking clearer definitions and compliance guidance.
On public safety and infrastructure, SB 1682 to include 911 dispatchers in the definition of first responder was reported favorably with strong support from dispatchers and committee members. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were also reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a taxpayer cost shift. SB 948 on flood disclosures for rental properties and condominium sales/rentals was reported favorably after support from environmental and flood advocacy groups. The committee also heard SB 604 on residential pool safety requirements, but the chair temporarily postponed it after concerns were raised about how the inspection requirement would work in cash transactions and whether it would require permits or delay closings.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Ask them if they can be here an hour earlier. oh, fishing game. I Yeah, I I need oh, fishing game.
- Fishing game is coming up. Are they here? Yeah. Okay. Fishing games.
- </c> Game. I have with me Kathy Labonte. Game. I have with me Kathy Labonte.
- </c> their salary through the fishing game their salary through the fishing game fund.<02:09:20.079><
- He then said there is no fiscal impact. from fish and game uh because it is our from fish and game uh
Committee:
Senate Finance
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor May 30th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Commerce and Labor
Transcript Highlights:
- He explained that the phraseology related to gaming referred to Nevada-type gaming, meaning gambling.
- the gaming component.
- to gaming was Nevada-type gaming, where we're gambling, so to speak, right?
- So online games, gamers, is different from gaming, and we were trying to accommodate the gaming component
- game itself.
Committee:
Assembly Commerce and Labor
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee
Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Study Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The process is that ADOT, in consultation with the Game and Fish and the parks and with Game and Fish
- So, you know, we have the current Game and Fish test that owners have to use...
- You have Operation Game Thief. 100%.
- Some of that would go to Arizona Game and Fish, and some of that would go to state land.
- And I've been out on the Kofa Game Range. It's a national wildlife area, you know.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><04:10:30.160><c> but</c> terminal gaming. That's a quote. but terminal gaming.
- </c> predetermined number of gaming predetermined number of gaming facilities<04:10:39.199><c> and</c
- </c> uh and these this uh this way of gaming uh and these this uh this way of gaming um<04:17:15.199>
- a myriad of problems that arise as gaming explodes, including problem gaming.
- a myriad of problems that arise as gaming explodes, including problem gaming.
Committee:
House Ways and Means
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1596, which would raise New Hampshire’s cigarette excise tax from $1.78 per pack to about $2.80, using an inflation-based adjustment since the rate was last set in 2008. Representative Jerry Stringham, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would keep New Hampshire competitive with neighboring states, generate revenue, and help offset other budget pressures. He also described the bill as repealing an income-based premium charge in Medicaid/CHIP-related programs and restoring cuts to the University System of New Hampshire, arguing that the combined package would still leave the state in a positive fiscal position. He said the tobacco tax increase would likely have some cessation effect but would remain low relative to other New England states, and he cited prior testimony from health groups supporting a larger increase.
Members questioned the sponsor about how the new rate was calculated, the prior tobacco tax reduction and restoration, whether tobacco companies would absorb or pass on the tax, and the fiscal note’s estimates for Medicaid premium revenue and UNH funding. Stringham said he used Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation data, that the earlier 10-cent reduction did not produce the expected sales increase, and that the current bill would eliminate the premium charges now in the budget. He later clarified that the Department of Medicaid Services had updated the revenue estimate, but said the bill still showed a surplus overall. He also said the federal government already imposes a $1-per-pack tax and that New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase.
Two public witnesses testified in opposition to the tax increase. Anna Bettincourt, a tobacco category manager, argued that higher tobacco taxes would unfairly target smokers, reduce New Hampshire’s tax advantage, and likely shift purchases to other states or illicit markets rather than reduce use. She said tobacco companies generally do not lower prices and that Massachusetts’ flavor restrictions had not eliminated sales. In response to questions, she maintained that a smaller increase would still be harmful and that enforcement problems make bans ineffective. The sponsor and some members countered that smokers impose higher health costs and that tobacco taxes are a policy tool for both revenue and public health. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, our comments are reserved for the director of Fish and Game.
- we had one game warden.
- It was a state game warden for the whole state.
- Every other employee that that game warden hired would be a deputy warden. They were unpaid.
- hunting tool—and Fish and Game refused.
Committee:
House State Affairs