From the instant racing repeal debate in the House:

Rep. Caroline Troy, R-Genesee, said, “I believe that the issue is with the machines, and that it is a mistake to shut this important industry down at this point without having more clarity about the machines."

Rep. Christy Perry, R-Nampa, said, “They’re not a slot machine, slot machines are an entirely different animal." She said, "Originally, in 2012, a year before this even came up, it was deemed constitutional and legal."

Rep. Don Cheatham, R-Post Falls, said he believes the repeal bill deprives operators of instant racing machines of due process, by not waiting for results of a Post Falls Police Department investigation into the legality of the machines. “It interrupted the due process that was taking place at Greyhound Park which might determine the truth, in addition to Greyhound Park possibly clearing their name,” he said. “If tribal gaming machines are constitutional, then isn’t it possible so are historical racing machines? ... SB 1011 proposes to take away their investments, personal property, eliminate jobs and free enterprise. This bill is particularly odious because it attempts to deprive an entire group of Idahoans from due process.” Cheatham said if the bill failed, the matter would be decided in court. “The court may rule against the machines, but then again the courts may support them.”

Rep. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, said, “I don’t think we are rushing to judgment.” She said she’s done extensive research on the issue and the legislative history, and determined that the central question is: “Regardless of all the bells and whistles and cherries and bananas on the screen, does this meet the legislative intent?” She said she spoke with legislators who approved the original legislation 2013. “One legislator said, ‘I was shown what looked like a microwave oven and it had a horse race screen on it … and for five minutes a horse race went by.’” But the machines in Idaho today look like slot machines, she said. “Did this meet legislative intent? I believe it does not, based on all that and maybe more,” she said. “I think this is the only way to get rid of it and start again.”

Rep. Steven Harris, R-Boise, said, “We put in the bad law. It’s our responsibility to take out the bad law.”

Rep. Rick Youngblood, R-Nampa, said, “Personally I’m offended that this bill has made it to the house floor without any due process. There’s been no legal action. … How can I vote for this bill, when there has been no legal action?”