Wyoming House debates cap on historical‑horse‑racing machines; numeric cap amendment fails, permitting‑transfer amendment passes

Representative Johnson moved second‑reading amendment No. 1 to Senate File 45 proposing a statewide cap on historical horse racing (HHR) machines and a two‑year period for operators to bring machine counts into compliance. Johnson argued the cap was needed because "these HHR machines have gotten out of control" and said the amendment would restore the law’s original purpose to promote live racing rather than machine expansion.

Supporters framed the amendment as a saturation control measure tied to the Wyoming Gaming Commission’s 16‑day live‑racing permit rule; Johnson cited out‑of‑state comparisons to show Wyoming’s population‑to‑machine ratio would exceed other states without limits. Opponents said the amendment was not germane to the bill and warned it would upend previously authorized rights. Representative Larson JT, Representative Davis and others said reverting machine counts or imposing a cap would punish existing operators and could undermine local decisions the bill is intended to protect.

Debate focused on three recurring points: (1) whether the amendment was procedurally appropriate for Senate File 45, which the sponsor and several members said should preserve local permitting and other narrow policy aims; (2) whether a statewide cap with a two‑year compliance window would unfairly penalize existing in‑state operators or deter new local investment; and (3) how the amendment related to the Gaming Commission’s track‑race permit requirements. Members urged different remedies, including separate legislation addressing statewide caps, grandfathering, or more targeted venue limits.

After floor debate and a voice vote, amendment No. 1 was not adopted. Representative Lean then offered second‑reading amendment No. 2, which would prohibit any city, town or county from attaching monetary value to permits when they transfer or sell them. Representative Lean and supporters argued the change preserved local permitting authority while preventing a market in permit sales; Representative Davis voiced support. The House adopted amendment No. 2 by voice vote.

Senate File 45 as amended (amendment No. 2 adopted; amendment No. 1 failed) was ordered for third reading. No final enactment occurred on the floor during this session excerpt; members and stakeholders indicated further committee work or follow‑on bills may be warranted to address machine counts, grandfathering, and local‑state interaction.

The debate combined industry‑structure data, local control concerns and legislative process arguments. Proponents of a cap emphasized saturation and the bill’s original intent to promote live racing; opponents emphasized local decision‑making, contractual realities, and potential unfairness to existing operators. The sponsor of the cap acknowledged alternative approaches and said he sought members’ consideration before pursuing further steps.

The House's action: amendment No. 1 (cap to 3,600 machines statewide) failed; amendment No. 2 (no monetary value attached to local permits on transfer) passed and was adopted to SF 45. The bill was prepared for a third reading.