The Public Lands Subcommittee voted 3-0 to ask the Nevada Legislature to urge Congress to authorize the annexation of Wendover, Utah, by West Wendover.

Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, said the panel took an important step in helping advance the plan to annex up to 10,000 acres of Wendover, Utah.

''We pretty much rubber-stamped the fact that both communities are interested in it. And at first blush, it's certainly a savings of a lot of money if it could be merged into one community,'' said Rhoads, chair of the subcommittee.

Although the two towns lie next to each along the main highway between Reno and Salt Lake City, the economic divide is visible. The booming casinos of West Wendover overshadow the dilapidated buildings of Wendover, Utah.

During Friday's meeting at a new school gymnasium in West Wendover, officials from Utah's Tooele County, which includes Wendover, expressed support for annexation, which would consolidate a number of agencies including police and fire departments and school districts. Residents of West Wendover and Wendover voted in 2002 to approve the marriage of the cities. But the plan faces several hurdles, including the development of an annexation agreement approved by both states and congressional approval.

Friday's panel recommendation will be heard by the Public Lands Committee Aug. 27 in Carson City. Lawmakers could then decide to craft legislation that would be introduced in February when the full Legislature convenes in Carson City.

The plan faces opposition from gambling companies that fear moving the state line would open up more land for casino development.

Also complicating merger plans are the economic troubles of Wendover. The city is millions of dollars in debt.