MINUTES OF THE
	SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

	Sixty-eighth Session
	January 20, 1995


The Senate Committee on Government Affairs was called to order by Chairman 
Ann O'Connell, at 1:20 p.m., on Friday, January 20, 1995, in Room 227 of the 
Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Agenda.  Exhibit B is the 
Attendance Roster.


COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Senator Ann O'Connell, Chairman
Senator Randolph J.  Townsend, Vice Chairman
Senator Jon C. Porter
Senator William J. Raggio
Senator William R. O'Donnell
Senator Dina Titus
Senator Raymond C. Shaffer

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

Dana Bennett, Senior Research Analyst
Tanya Morrison, Committee Secretary

OTHERS PRESENT:

Bob Hoover, State Chairman, Legacy (Trustees of Square Dance Activity)
Leo Humphreys, Member, Legacy


SENATE BILL 81:	Designates square dance as the official folk dance of Nevada.



Bob Hoover, State Chairman, Legacy,  stated Legacy represents approximately 
1200 square dancers throughout Nevada with the main concentration of square 
dancers in Reno and Las Vegas.  He testified since its introduction, square dancing 
has progressed through the years in various forms, and  over a period of time came 
west into Nevada.  He commented square dancing is a form of recreation and has 
developed into a form of modern dancing (line dancing) which is enjoyed 
throughout the state.  Bob Hoover stated Legacy's goal is to have this activity 
designated as a national folk dance.  He continued by saying the group is asking 
each state enact a law making it a state folk dance.  

Bob Hoover emphasized 22 states presently have legislation enacted making square 
dancing  a state folk dance.  He further stated this legislation is in place in the four 
states surrounding Nevada.  He stressed Nevada and New Mexico are the only two 
western states who do not have this legislation in place.   He  stated that the goal 
for Legacy this year is to go over the 50 percent mark of states in enacting 
legislation.  He mentioned that personally he would like to see Nevada be in the 
first 50 percent of the states.  

Bob Hoover explained that Nevada presently is host to the largest dance festival in 
the United States, ongoing today.  He stated in 1997 the Silver State Festival  will 
celebrate its 50th anniversary.  He continued by saying this festival is also the 
largest festival in the United States held under one roof.  It encompasses the entire 
Reno-Sparks Convention Center.   He said the Silver State Festival has managed 
to book the convention center through the year 2001 and they intend to be an 
ongoing project in the state.  He explained for the past 4 years the Governor has 
designated the Silver State Festival weekend as "State Square Dance Weekend." 
 He stressed Legacy would like the status of square dancing become more 
permanent.

Leo Humphrey added this event is of economic benefit.  He explained the state 
organization may only have 1200 members, but the visitors who come to the Silver 
State Festival book rooms, and visit restaurants, casinos and shops.  

Bob Hoover introduced some early rules of square dancing to the committee to 
show them proof that square dancing existed as part of Nevada's early history.  He 
stated the history of square dancing goes back to every day that Nevada was a 
state and when people first began to populate Nevada.  He added the old rules, 
which he introduced to the committee, are part of square dancing's  heritage.   He 
commented  square dancing underwent a change in the 1930's that made it the 
recreational activity it is today.  

Bob Hoover reiterated that it would be nice to have Nevada be one of the 
forerunners of the states who enact this legislation.

The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.








RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:



	
Teri J. Spraggins,
Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:





Senator Ann O'Connell, Chairman


DATE: 	

Senate Committee on Government Affairs
January 20, 1995
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