requiring applicants for games of chance facilities licensees and game operator employer licensees to enter into host community agreements with municipalities.

HB 1531 requires applicants for new or renewed licenses to operate gaming facilities (including "games of chance" facilities and game operator employer licenses) to negotiate and sign agreements with the local municipality where the facility will operate. These "host community agreements" must address specific impacts like infrastructure, emergency response, security, public inquiries, and local hiring, negotiated in good faith. Before finalizing, the municipality must provide public notice and allow a 14-day comment period, with the agreement submitted to the licensing commission as a prerequisite for approval. Existing license holders are exempt until their licenses expire and they renew.