HBA-LCA H.B. 3573 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3573
By: Lewis, Ron
Public Education
3/28/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the majority of University Interscholastic League (UIL) 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. 3575 prevents the
State Board of Education (board) from modifying those rules, while allowing
the board to continue to express its approval or disapproval of UIL rules. 

Additionally, H.B. 3573 clarifies a policy relating to "no-pass, no-play"
suspensions, under which a student who receives a grade of less than 70
percent in certain classes may not participate in a UIL competition or
certain extracurricular activities.  Currently, students suspended under
these suspensions are suspended during the winter holiday season or spring
break.  This bill provides that "no-pass, no play" suspensions must occur
for three school weeks. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill
modifiies rulemaking authority previously granted to the State Board of
Education in SECTION 1 of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 7.102(c)(27), Education Code, to provide that
the State Board of Education (board), in adopting rules relating to
extracurricular activities under Section 33.081, Education Code
(Extracurricular Activities), may approve or disapprove, but not modify,
University Interscholastic League (UIL) rules and procedures under Section
33.083, Education Code (Interscholastic Leagues). 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 33.081(c), Education Code, to specify that the
suspension of a student from participation in certain specified
extracurricular activities or in a UIL competition, for receiving a grade
lower than 70 percent in certain specified classes, continues for three
school weeks.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 33.083(b), Education Code, to provide that the
UIL must submit its rules and procedures to the board for approval or
disapproval, but not modification. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 5.  Emergency clause.