Testimony on gaming commission bill: ‘Avoid hasty repeal,’ ‘Attempt to divert attention’

John Sheldon, president of Treasure Valley Racing, spoke in favor of the state gaming commission bill, HB 279. “We need one regulatory body to regulate all aspects of gaming in the state,” he told the House State Affairs Committee. “This would ensure that we all continue to operate within the confines of the law and the Constitution.” He said, “I hope this committee can take a step back, avoid making a hasty repeal decision, and instead form a commission to regulate and maintain gaming within our borders.”

Bill Roden, lobbyist for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, spoke against the bill. “I think this is an interesting piece of legislation to be come before you at this particular point in time,” he said. “The issue that really is before the legislature is the question of whether or not instant racing, as it is currently practiced at Les Boise Park, Greyhound Park, and Double Down Betting Bar and Grill in Idaho Falls, is constitutional and should be allowed to continue. … The intent of this bill is clearly an attempt to divert your attention from that key issue as to what has transpired since 2013 when you adopted or approved historical horse racing and the question of whether or not that is a legal or appropriate representation of what you intended, at least in 2013. … I think it is an attempt to divert attention from SB 1011.”

Committee Chairman Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, told Roden, “You’re not going to stand there and question the motives of the Legislature.”

“I’m not questioning the motives of the Legislature,” Roden said. “But secondly this bill, for the first time, puts in statute the authority for the continuation of a system known as instant racing. I think that is a mistake. I am amazed. You didn’t vote for instant racing in 2013, and I would hate to think that you are going to vote for instant racing in this particular bill, but that is the way that it is written.”

Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, asked Roden, “Were you consulted or was he tribe consulted prior to the crafting or the development of this legislation?”

“No, we have not been consulted,” Roden said, “by either the governor or the executive branch or the legislative branch.”

Jeff Anderson, director of the Idaho Lottery, told the committee the lottery is neutral on the bill, but he questioned a section that would include a member on the new commission as a representative of the lottery. All five current commissioners are that, he said, and the bill would continue their service on the new commission. Overall, Anderson said of the bill, “We do believe it is workable.”