HBA-MPM, LCA H.B. 3573 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3573 By: Lewis, Ron Public Education 7/20/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 76th legislature, the majority of University Interscholastic League (UIL) rules and procedures were developed through input from school district superintendents, school principals, or certain state-level committees comprised of school officials. These rules and procedures were then often approved on a ballot basis by superintendents. H.B. 3573 requires the commissioner of education, rather than the State Board of Education, to adopt rules relating to extracurricular and UIL activities. Additionally, H.B. 3573 allows the board of trustees of a school district to adopt a policy regarding the number of times a student may be absent from class to participate in an extracurricular activity. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the commissioner of education in SECTION 1 (Section 7.102, Education Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 7.102(c)(27), Education Code, to require the commissioner of education (commissioner), rather than the State Board of Education, to adopt rules relating to extracurricular activities under Section 33.081 (Extracurricular Activities), Education Code, and approve or disapprove, but not modify, University Interscholastic League (UIL) rules and procedures under Section 33.083 (Interscholastic Leagues), Education Code. SECTION 2. Amends Section 33.081(c), Education Code, to clarify that the suspension of a student from participation in certain extracurricular activities or in a UIL competition, for receiving a grade lower than 70 percent in certain specified classes, continues for three school weeks, rather than three weeks. SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, by adding Section 33.0811, as follows: Sec. 33.0811. SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY ON ABSENCES TO PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. (a) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district (board), notwithstanding Section 33.081(a), to adopt a policy establishing the number of times a student who is otherwise eligible to participate in an extracurricular activity under Section 33.081, Education Code, is authorized to be absent from class to participate in that activity, if it is sponsored or sanctioned by the district or UIL or by an organization sanctioned by resolution of the board. (b) Provides that a policy adopted by the board under this section prevails over a conflicting policy adopted under Section 33.081(a) and must permit a student to be absent from class at least 10 times during the school year. SECTION 4. Amends Section 33.083(b), Education Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 5. Makes Sections 1, 2, and 4 of this Act applicable beginning September 1, 1999. SECTION 6. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.