Sandoval signs ‘firey’ bill with flames as a backdrop

The debate wasn't firey, but the bill signing was.

Backed by fire performers holding flaming torches, Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a bill to certify the entertainers' profession in a late-night ceremony in a parking lot (see video below).

"There's not another governor in America who is signing a bill like this," Sandoval joked as he signed the bill into law at 11:02 p.m. Thursday as a dozen fire performers stood around him.

One of the entertainers egged Sandoval on, urging him to put pen to paper.

"You have enough light!" the performer shouted, drawing cheers.

The parking lot sits directly across from the Nevada Legislature, which is schedule to wrap up its 120-day session on Monday.

The bill, AB304, prohibits a person from "acting as a fire performer" unless he or she holds a certificate as a fire performer or apprentice fire performer.

The measure was sponsored by Assemblyman David Bobzien, D-Reno.

Lawmakers and the perfomers made a party out of the bill signing. They gathered in the parking lot at 9 p.m. Thursday, drawing a crowd of about 250 people, including at least a dozen members of the Nevada Senate and Assembly. Bobzien provided the music, acting as a DJ, spinning techno and hip-hop tunes.

The performers took a break before the governor arrived, partly to conserve fuel, said lobbyist Tom Clark, who helped shepherd the bill.

By the time Sandoval signed the bill, the late-night cold had chased most of the crowd away, leaving about two dozen or so to witness the historic event.

Assemblywoman speaker pro tempore, Debbie Smith, D-Sparks noted that the heat felt a bit familiar.

"Controlled Burn performing across from #nvleg. Hmm. Feels that way across the street sometimes!" Smith tweeted as she posted a photo of the event.