88R14311 JES-D
 
  By: Gervin-Hawkins H.B. No. 4461
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the requirements for hearings conducted by the
  University Interscholastic League.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 33, Education Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter D-1 to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER D-1. UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE HEARINGS
         Sec. 33.125.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "League" means the University Interscholastic
  League.
               (2)  "Legislative council" means the governing body of
  the league that proposes, implements, and administers rules and
  procedures for the league as provided by this chapter.
         Sec. 33.126.  CONSTITUTION AND CONTEST RULES. (a) The
  legislative council shall amend the league's constitution and
  contest rules as necessary to comply with this subchapter and
  submit the proposed amended constitution and rules to the
  commissioner for approval. The commissioner may not approve a
  provision of the proposed constitution or a rule submitted by the
  league that conflicts with the requirements of this subchapter.
         (b)  The league's constitution and contest rules must:
               (1)  clearly describe the procedure, process, and
  timing for a hearing held by, the reconsideration of a decision made
  by, or an appeal taken from a decision made by the league's state
  executive committee; and
               (2)  provide a person or school district guidance for
  actions available following the exhaustion of administrative
  remedies.
         Sec. 33.127.  STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DUTIES. The state
  executive committee:
               (1)  must accept any appeal taken from a decision of the
  district executive committee; and
               (2)  may not impose a penalty until the penalty is
  reviewed and approved by the commissioner.
         Sec. 33.128.  LEAGUE CONTEST RULES. The rules of the league
  shall, for any meeting or hearing by the district executive
  committee or state executive committee regarding a violation of
  league contest rules by a person or school district campus:
               (1)  require the burden of proof to be borne by the
  person alleging a violation or the district executive committee or
  state executive committee if the committee alleges the violation;
               (2)  require the meeting or hearing to be audio and
  video recorded and made accessible through the league's Internet
  website not later than 24 hours after the end of the meeting or
  hearing;
               (3)  require the district executive committee or state
  executive committee to provide written notice, including a list of
  any evidence or witnesses the committee intends to present at the
  hearing or meeting relating to the relevant violation, at least
  five business days before the date of any hearing or meeting to each
  person or campus involved in an alleged violation of league contest
  rules that will be discussed at the hearing or meeting;
               (4)  prohibit investigation or use of an anonymous
  complaint by the district executive committee or state executive
  committee;
               (5)  require testimony presented by a person or campus,
  the district executive committee, or the state executive committee,
  against a person or school district campus to be provided in person,
  under oath, and subject to cross-examination;
               (6)  to the extent practicable, require the application
  of the Texas Rules of Evidence to the meeting or hearing in the same
  manner those rules apply in a court of law;
               (7)  require the district executive committee or state
  executive committee to ensure the presence of an attorney licensed
  in this state at each meeting and hearing to ensure compliance with
  applicable law and the league's constitution and contest rules;
               (8)  permit a person or campus to:
                     (A)  be represented by legal counsel; and
                     (B)  participate, on the person's or campus's own
  behalf or through legal counsel, including by allowing:
                           (i)  opening statements;
                           (ii)  closing statements;
                           (iii)  cross-examination of witnesses; and
                           (iv)  submission of and objections to
  evidence consistent with the Texas Rules of Evidence;
               (9)  prohibit the district executive committee or state
  executive committee from setting a predetermined time limit on the
  duration of the meeting or hearing; and
               (10)  require the district executive committee or state
  executive committee to include in any decision of the committee
  issued after a meeting or hearing written findings of fact
  addressing the witness testimony and any evidence presented.
         Sec. 33.129.  SUBPOENA. On the motion of any party to a
  hearing or meeting relating to an alleged violation of league
  contest rules, a district executive committee or the state
  executive committee may issue an administrative subpoena to compel
  the production of records relating to the hearing or meeting or the
  attendance of any person at the hearing or meeting.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter D-1, Chapter 33, Education Code, as
  added by this Act, applies only to a meeting or hearing conducted by
  a district executive committee, the state executive committee, or
  any other committee of the University Interscholastic League
  commenced on or after the effective date of this Act. A meeting or
  hearing commenced before the effective date of this Act is governed
  by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this
  Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.