MINUTES OF THE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM Sixty-eighth Session May 19, 1995 The Committee on Economic Development and Tourism was called to order at 7:20 p.m., on Friday, May 19, 1995, Chairman Dianne Steel presiding in Room 4401 at the Grant Sawyer Office Building, Las Vegas, Nevada. The meeting was teleconferenced to Room 119 of the Nevada Legislature in Carson City. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Michael A. (Mike) Schneider, Chairman Mrs. Dianne Steel, Chairman Mrs. Maureen E. Brower, Vice Chairman Mr. Mark Manendo, Vice Chairman Mr. Jack D. Close Mr. David Goldwater COMMITTEE MEMBERS EXCUSED: Mr. Thomas Batten Mrs. Gene Wines Segerblom GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT: Assemblyman Roy Neighbors Assemblyman Bob Price STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Donald O. Williams, Chief Principal Research Analyst OTHERS PRESENT: See attached guest list ASSEMBLY BILL 533 - Designates portion of state highway as "The Extraterrestrial Alien Highway." (BDR35- 1591) Chairman Steel welcomed members of the Las Vegas and Carson City audiences. A short statement containing her opening remarks is attached (Exhibit C). Assemblyman Roy Neighbors, testifying on behalf of the bill in Carson City, explained A.B. 533 was a very serious piece of legislation which designated a portion of State Highway 375 as "The Extraterrestrial Alien Highway" directing the Department of Transportation to erect and maintain suitable markers. His comments are contained in (Exhibit D). Mr. Neighbors read a letter (Exhibit E) from the Galactic Tourist Association (GTA) which informed the committee that if such designation was emplaced, the organization would post the site on their super nova discount package tour. Assemblyman Bob Price testified in support of the bill. Mr. Price indicated unidentified flying objects and experimental aircraft had been observed near the secret United States Air Force Base 25 miles east of Rachel, Nevada drawing curiosity seekers from around the world. As a member of the Legislature's High Level Waste Committee, Mr. Price has been actively involved in monitoring the Department of Energy's Scientific Technical Committee's ongoing study at Yucca Mountain. He reported the scientists on the technical committee have been contemplating putting warning signs on top of the mountain in the event the area was visited by extraterrestrials from other galaxies sometime in the future. The purpose of the signs would be to deter anyone/anything from disturbing the high level nuclear waste proposed to be buried under the mountain. With scientists acknowledging such an occurrence, Mr. Price stated the state could hardly scoff at their concern. Mr. Price felt there was no downside to the bill, that it could only benefit the economy of Lincoln and Nye counties in terms of the tourism dollars it would bring in. Mr. Thomas Tait, Executive Director, Nevada Commission on Tourism, offered his assistance to answer questions from committee members regarding the public relations aspects of the bill. Mr. Tait explained the successful "Loneliest Road in America, Highway 50" campaign created in 1987 by the commission. He indicated over 75,000 people had used the Highway 50 Survival Kit, shopping in 5 communities along the highway in order to get their certificates stamped to prove they had traveled the full route. The public relations campaign went well beyond the 75,000 travelers using the roadway, attracting the notice of national public radio and television as well as coverage by all major networks. Mr. Tait's presentation was interrupted by the vision of Mr. Darth Vadar which appeared on the teleconferenced transmission screen being beamed from Carson City. As Mr. Vadar did not wish to speak at this time, Mr. Tait continued, reporting on the commission's cooperative efforts with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to produce signage for the Highway 50 campaign. Three years ago the commission was designated by Governor Miller as the lead agency to assist in the designation of scenic highways within the state. Mr. Tait indicated the commission maintained membership on the Signage Committee with NDOT in order to make sure there was compatible signage throughout the state and were in conformance with state, federal and local standards. In conclusion, Mr. Tait stated he was glad 14,000 new rooms were being built in Las Vegas in order to accommodate the "billions and billions" of proposed new visitors. Mr. Tait added his only hope was that they enjoyed gambling. Mr. Manendo, citing recent statistics from the Review Journal predicting a large influx of family vacationers traveling to the southern region by car and recreational vehicle, concluded the campaign would be a definite benefit to the state. He congratulated Mr. Neighbors, Mr. Price and Mr. Vadar on bringing forth the legislation. Chairman Steel recognized Mr. Vadar who indicated he had traveled through many galaxies to appear before the committee's distinguished body. Mr. Vadar testified the Romulans, Arcturians and other galaxy members appreciated their recognized status as neighbors and conveyed their sincere intentions of frequent visits to the proposed designated area. He testified the galactic visitors would not pollute the site and hoped the committee would vote favorably in support of the bill. Mr. Eugene Weight, District Engineer, NDOT, testified the word Hiko in line two should be changed to Crystal Springs. The department estimated the route would require at least a minimum of four signs measuring eight by three feet. Based upon experience with the "Highway 50 Loneliest Road" campaign, the department felt the signs would have to be replaced at least twice a year due to vandalism. Mr. Close asked what the signs were estimated to cost. Mr. Weight replied each sign would cost approximately $840 each. Assemblyman Schneider felt the area would require more than four signs. Mr. Weight stated the department would install more if needed and noted it was important signs were installed at major junctions to make sure travelers were headed down the proper route. Mr. Weight distributed maps of the proposed route (Exhibit F). Mr. Neighbors reported findings from his meeting with NDOT indicated no fiscal impact as they already have a budget for signs. The department preferred to put the signs near populated areas to deter souvenir hunters. According to Mr. Weight, suggestions for signage have been: "Look Out for Low Flying Spacecraft," and "Alien Crossing." Mr. Close requested Mr. Neighbors to provide the committee with the letter from NDOT indicating there was no fiscal impact. He expressed concern over whether the fabrication of the Alien Highway signs would keep previously budgeted signs from being made. Mr. Neighbors stated he would supply a letter from NDOT within a week. He added other parties had expressed interest in financing the signs. Mr. Haley Clark testified on behalf of the bill. He offered the following names (written in two languages - human and alien) for the committee's consideration: Twilight Zone Highway, X-Files Highway, Sightings Highway, Weirdo Highway, Close Encounters Highway, Space Ship Highway, and "51" Better Run Highway (Exhibit G). Assemblywoman Brower asked, since the issue impacted tourism and economic development, whether an original name would make Mr. Clark want to visit the highway. Mr. Clark responded it would. When asked whether his family would react in the same fashion, Mr. Clark answered affirmatively. Ambassador Merlin II read from a letter (Exhibit H) he had received from Mr. Fred Mitchell, NDOT Equipment Operations Supervisor, on March 10, 1995: "This will confirm our telephone conversation concerning the cost of Nevada Department of Transportation highway signs. Our cost to fabricate a 36" x 60" aluminum sign with high intensity reflective sheeting is $96.01. Associated costs are $20 for a signpost and $50 for installation. There are no maintenance costs because signs are replaced at cost if stolen or damaged. Please contact me if you need more information." The Ambassador noted the 36" x 60" sign was the same size as the "Loneliest Road in America" signs and questioned Mr. Weight's previously quoted figures. Chairman Steel pointed out the sign described by Mr. Weight was larger. The Ambassador stated he would give a copy of the letter to the committee secretary. Ambassador Merlin II reported on his meeting with Trad from the Zeta Reticuli Star System and explained how the idea for the legislation came about. Mr. Manendo complimented the Ambassador for his work on behalf of the bill. Mr. Manendo stated the sign expenditure was minimal in comparison to the tourist dollars the campaign would bring in. He suggested the issuance of a certificate authenticating the traveler's visit along the proposed highway. Mr. Close asked Mr. Neighbors whether measures would be taken to keep the public from wandering into the secret testing Area 51 facility. Mr. Neighbors indicated the Air Force had recently withdrawn 5,000 acres in the vicinity of Freedom Ridge. He assured Mr. Close the secret areas were very heavily policed and that he did not anticipate problems. Mr. Close asked whether Mr. Neighbors felt the public would be protected from injuries incurred by wandering off the highway. Mr. Neighbors said injuries could be sustained along any highway and could make no guarantees. MR. SCHNEIDER MOVED TO AMEND AND DO PASS A.B. 533 BY DELETING "HIKO" AND REPLACING IT WITH "CRYSTAL SPRINGS". MR. MANENDO SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Janine Sprout, Committee Secretary APPROVED BY: Assemblyman Michael A. Schneider, Chairman Assemblyman Dianne Steel, Chairman Assembly Committee on Economic Development and Tourism May 19, 1995 Page