A significant amendment to Senate Bill 260 was the focal point of the Kansas Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs meeting on February 17, 2025. The proposed changes aim to clarify the operation of historical horse race machines, limiting their use to a single facility in Sedgwick County, specifically the former Wichita Greyhound Park.

During the meeting, committee members discussed the implications of the amendment, which specifies that horsemen's associations and nonprofit organizations would not be authorized to operate these machines at any racetrack facilities they might manage. This restriction is designed to maintain the exclusivity of the historical horse race machine operations at the designated location, ensuring that only one facility holds the license to do so.

Jason, a key speaker at the meeting, explained that the amendment was necessary to prevent any potential expansion of historical horse racing operations beyond the current legal framework. He emphasized that the existing law already limits these operations to Sedgwick County, and the amendment reinforces that limitation by clarifying the roles of horsemen's associations in relation to the machines.

Senator Francisco raised questions about the wording of the amendment, confirming that the limitation pertains specifically to the operation of historical horse race machines, not to horse racing itself. The committee ultimately voted in favor of the amendment, signaling a commitment to maintaining the current regulatory structure surrounding historical horse racing in Kansas.

As the committee moved back to discussing the base bill, the approval of this amendment marks a crucial step in shaping the future of horse racing and gaming in the state, with implications for both local businesses and regulatory practices.