The Legislative Service Office presented bill draft 26 LSO 0152 (working draft 0.4), a proposed three‑year moratorium on new permits to conduct simulcasting, new HHR premises, and increases in historic‑horse‑racing terminals above the number permitted as of an effective date (draft used a 04/01/2026 effective date and a 03/31/2029 sunset).

Why it matters: The moratorium would pause market entry and expansions for a fixed period; proponents described it as a “fail‑safe” tool if the task force cannot reach a broader framework for local control. Opponents said the pause would immediately affect projects under construction and undercut private investment.

What LSO described: Tamara Reveley told the committee the draft pauses issuance of simulcasting permits and increases to terminal counts for permit holders for three years, with conforming amendments to the pari‑mutuel statutes and a sunset provision. She noted April 1 as an effective date chosen to allow the governor’s signature window to close and reduce ambiguity about activation.

Public testimony: Cowboy Racing (represented by counsel Abbie Ellis and speaker William Edwards) and other proponents of a new Cheyenne racetrack told the committee a moratorium would threaten projects now under construction. They said Wyoming Downs and another operator together have thousands of approved machines but have not yet fully built out facilities; Cowboy Racing said it sought 289 machines and had already invested substantially in a racetrack. Operators asked the committee to consider alternatives (for example, requiring existing operators to build out currently‑approved machines before receiving additional permits) rather than a blanket moratorium.

Committee action: By voice vote the task force agreed to carry the moratorium draft forward to the next meeting as a placeholder “fail‑safe” option while other bills and local‑control approaches are developed. The committee did not adopt the moratorium into law at this meeting.

Ending: The moratorium remains a staff‑prepared option; the committee expects additional analysis and stakeholder input before deciding whether to advance it as a formal bill.