SRC-AXB H.B. 3573 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3573
By: Lewis, Ron (Bernsen)
Education
5/14/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the majority of University Interscholastic League rules and
procedures are developed through input from school district
superintendents, school principals, or certain state-level committees
comprised of school officials. These rules and procedures are then often
approved on a ballot basis by superintendents.  H.B. 3573 creates
regulations regarding school district policy on absences to participate in
extracurricular activities, and grants rulemaking authority. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3573 creates regulations regarding school district policy
on absences to participate in extracurricular activities, and grants
rulemaking authority. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION
1 (Section 7.102(c)(27), Education Code) and to the University
Interscholastic League in SECTION 5 (Section 33.081(h), Education Code) of
this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 7.102(c)(27), Education Code, to provide that
the commissioner of education (commissioner), rather than the State Board
of Education, is required to adopt rules. Deletes a specification regarding
the authority to modify rules. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 33.081(c), Education Code, to specify that a
certain suspension continues for at least three school weeks. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Chapter 33D, Education Code, by adding Section 33.0811,
as follows: 

Sec.  33.0811.  SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY ON ABSENCES TO PARTICIPATE IN
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.  Authorizes the board of trustees of a school
district to adopt a policy establishing the number of times a certain
student may be absent from class to participate in certain activities.
Sets forth requirements regarding the policy. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 33.083(b), Education Code, to provide that the
University Interscholastic League (UIL) must submit its rules and
procedures to the commissioner for approval or disapproval, but not
modification.  

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 33.081, Education Code, by adding Subsections
(h) and (i), to require UIL to adopt rules regarding disqualification of a
team from competition.  Sets forth provisions which the rules are
authorized to specify.  Sets forth procedural requirements for a school
responsible for making a verification of a student's grades. 

SECTION 6.  Requires UIL to adopt rules within a certain timeframe.

SECTION 7.  SECTIONS 1, 2, and 4 apply beginning September 1, 1999.

SECTION 8. Emergency clause.
   Effective date:  upon passage.