School sports bill dies in Senate

Tuesday, April 20, 1999 | 11:39 a.m.

SB489, which could have required that, was left in administrative limbo on Monday, the deadline for most Senate bills to pass out of the Senate.

The bill originally proposed excluding five California high schools that are members of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association from postseason competition.

The California schools, which include South Tahoe, Tahoe-Truckee, North Tahoe, Needles and Coleville, compete in NIAA leagues because of their proximity to Nevada and the fact winter travel over the Sierra can be dangerous.

Proponents of SB489 said Nevada state championships should be open only to Nevada schools, and they brought their case to the Legislature after petitioning the NIAA.

Without legislative action, the issue will go back to the NIAA for resolution. One lawmaker says the group can take the hint left by lawmakers, who declined to bar the California schools and instead suggested establishing a dual crown to honor Nevada teams that lose to Californians in championship games.

"If they don't have a good feeling about it, there's no reason to push it down their throats," said Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas. "But the message is still there: Do something about it."