HBA-MPM H.B. 1026 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1026
By: Coleman
Public Education
4/8/1999
Introduced


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, 48 states, excluding Texas, permit open competition between
private and public schools under rules which are similar to those which
govern the University Interscholastic League (UIL). H.B. 1026 prohibits UIL
from denying private school students the opportunity to participate in an
activity sponsored by UIL or denying a private school meeting other
standard eligibility requirements the opportunity to become a member of a
UIL district.  This bill further sets forth methods for a private school to
participate in UIL activities or to become a member of a UIL district and
the specific criteria it must meet. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, by adding
Section 33.086, as follows: 

Sec. 33.086.  PARTICIPATION IN UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE
ACTIVITIES.  (a)  Prohibits the University Interscholastic League (UIL)
from denying a private school or its students participation in
UIL-sponsored activities or the opportunity to become a member of an
appropriate UIL district. 

(b)  Provides that this section does not exempt a private school or its
students from satisfying each eligibility requirement imposed by this
subchapter, or UIL, in order to participate in an activity or UIL district
sponsored by UIL. 

(c)  Requires a private school seeking to participate in UIL activities or
to become a member of a UIL district to apply to UIL on a signed,
UIL-prescribed form.  Requires the private school to certify its
eligibility under this subchapter and UIL rules in the application and to
attach proof of accreditation.  Prohibits UIL from imposing eligibility
requirements for private schools that exceed the requirements of this
subchapter or UIL rules for public schools, nor shall it require proof of
eligibility exceeding the proof required of public schools.  Requires UIL,
upon approval of an application, to issue a certificate of approval to the
applicant school.  Specifies that the application and certificate of
approval are government records for purposes of Section 37.10 (Tampering
with Governmental Record), Penal Code. 

(d)  Requires a private school, in order to be eligible under this section,
to be accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas
Education Agency; offer a fouryear high school curriculum; offer
interscholastic competition; and require daily student attendance at a
specific location. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective beginning with the
1999-2000 school year. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.