« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: More UIL-related legislation  (Read 35246 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
More UIL-related legislation
« on: April 10, 2013, 02:22:29 PM »
Just came across this piece of legislation that was filed in this session in the Texas House

83R7501 PAM-F

By:  Thompson of Brazoria   H.B. No. 1775


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the University Interscholastic League regarding activities involving sports officials.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 33.085 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.085.  AUTHORITY OF UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE REGARDING ACTIVITIES INVOLVING SPORTS OFFICIALS.  (a)  In this section, "sports official":
(1)  means a person who officiates, judges, or in any manner enforces contest rules in any official capacity with respect to an interscholastic, intercollegiate, or other organized amateur or professional athletic competition; and
(2)  includes a referee, umpire, linesman, side judge, track or field marshal, timekeeper, down marker, or scorekeeper or any other person similarly involved in supervising competitive play.
(b)  The University Interscholastic League may not register, charge fees to, or require membership in or attempt to register, charge fees to, or require membership in any sponsoring organization of sports officials as a precondition for a sports official to contract with a school district or open-enrollment charter school.
(c)  The University Interscholastic League may not sponsor or organize or attempt to sponsor or organize any organization of sports officials.
(d)  The University Interscholastic League may not influence or attempt to influence the selection of a sports official by a school district or open-enrollment charter school.
(e)  The University Interscholastic League may set rates or fee schedules payable by a school district or open-enrollment charter school to a sports official.
(f)  Before the University Interscholastic League takes any action that relates to the activities of a sports official, the league must submit the proposed action to the interscholastic league advisory council for review and comment.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
Logged

Offline Rulesman

  • Past Keeper of the Keys
  • Refstripes Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 3839
  • FAN REACTION: +65535/-2
  • Live like tomorrow never comes.
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2013, 03:00:17 PM »
Quote from: TXMike on April 10, 2013, 02:22:29 PM
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
Sounds to me like "Heads I win; tails you lose."  ;)
Logged
"Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good."
- Vince Lombardi

Offline Coby

  • *
  • Posts: 283
  • FAN REACTION: +24/-72
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2013, 08:51:56 AM »
Ed--- Let me know when your next fundraising event is...Thanks
Logged

Offline clearwall

  • *
  • Posts: 758
  • FAN REACTION: +14/-13
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2013, 02:39:48 PM »
What does this do for basketball, softball and others who were too weak to hold UIL off?
Logged

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2013, 02:51:32 PM »
Hypothetitically, it would seem they would have to either find another central organizing body, or create one of their own.  I really doubt this legislation has much chance of going anywhere.  They would have a good argument that since they do manage most of the officials in those sports now, at a minimum they should be allowed to continue.  Not sure what motivated this since it seems we are working together better than we have in a long time. UIL has bigger battles in this legislative session than us (i.e. home schoolers and private schools being forced upon UIL, putting UIL under a sunset review, etc) 
Logged

Offline Joe Stack

  • *
  • Posts: 637
  • FAN REACTION: +33/-46
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2013, 11:07:40 PM »
It would have an excellent chance of passing if everyone would mobilize their chapter and have them contact their state rep. 3-5K phone calls and emails vs. no real public opposition could mean passage. This bill likely ends up as an amendment to something else, however.
Logged

jeffreff

  • Guest
H.B. 1775
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2013, 09:58:41 AM »
As I was driving to work this morning, the local news had a story about the registration of sports officials by our state governing body. Seems this bill has passed one section of our legislature and is waiting for full passage and a governor's signature. Here is a link to the bill analysis:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Search/DocViewer.aspx?K2DocKey=odbc%3a%2f%2fTLO%2fTLO.dbo.vwCurrBillDocs%2f83%2fR%2fH%2fB%2f01775%2f3%2fA%40TloCurrBillDocs&QueryText=1775&HighlightType=1

It might be a good idea to contact your chapter leadership and ask them to get more information. I wonder if our TASO board has heard about this, especially the football section? deadhorse:
Logged

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
Re: H.B. 1775
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2013, 10:40:11 AM »
Rest assured the leadership is well aware of this bill.  As you will recall, this was attempted in the past and did not make it through.  Seems to have made it a bit further this time.

Looks like it changed a bit from when it was initially submitted:  http://www.refstripes.com/forum/index.php?topic=10000.0
« Last Edit: May 17, 2013, 11:02:59 AM by TXMike »
Logged

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2013, 02:24:42 PM »
Looks like it is destined to be passed.  It blasted out of the Senate committe with no opposition and has been scheduled for the "local and uncontested calendar" which I believe means there is no known opposition to the legislation and it will be routinely approved and sent on to the Guvnah.  Probably not something that is what many had hoped for but really does seem to consider both our and the UIL's legitimate right to certain aspects of what we do.  Best part is this will probably end the lawsuit and therefore end our legal expenses
Logged

Offline TxSkyBolt

  • *
  • Posts: 2007
  • FAN REACTION: +45/-46
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2013, 04:47:21 PM »
Wonder what this will consist of?

"have completed initial and continuing education programs regarding UIL rules;"
Logged

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2013, 05:08:13 PM »
My guess would be something like COPE plus the normal UIL exceptions
Logged

Offline Arbitrator

  • Chief Manor Road Pig Poker
  • *
  • Posts: 687
  • FAN REACTION: +7/-10
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2013, 05:21:58 PM »
 ^flag

Mike: I'm taking it that if this legislation passes and comes to fruition, that Manor Road will, indeed, get it's "background checks" of officials, but will also be effectively taken out of the officiating procurement, training and selection business.

I really think that we could all live with that, greatly provided that I had some assurances that the  tiphat: Good UIL Dr. would be announcing his retirement soon, unless of course, that he plans on staying incumbent until he reaches 90 or so, by simply transforming Manor Road into a home for the aged!  z^
Logged

Offline DallasLJ

  • *
  • Posts: 568
  • FAN REACTION: +16/-15
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2013, 05:36:53 PM »
Quote from: Arbitrator on May 20, 2013, 05:21:58 PM
^flag

Mike: I'm taking it that if this legislation passes and comes to fruition, that Manor Road will, indeed, get it's "background checks" of officials, but will also be effectively taken out of the officiating procurement, training and selection business.

I really think that we could all live with that, greatly provided that I had some assurances that the  tiphat: Good UIL Dr. would be announcing his retirement soon, unless of course, that he plans on staying incumbent until he reaches 90 or so, by simply transforming Manor Road into a home for the aged!  z^

  While it seems to give UIL background checks, and does indeed keep them out of "organizing" chapters -- it allows the UIL to issue discipline.  This is very disturbing.  We will now be subject to being "hauled to Austin" to answer for calls / non calls / rules interpretations, etc.  Although it says they will look to local chapters for discipline decisions, it also says they are not bound by those decisions.
Logged

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2013, 07:00:21 PM »
While the discipline issue definitely can give you some reason for concern, I suspect the reality is that is going to be reserved for truly outrageous cases, and I would suspect if a local Chapter or the state association had something that bad to deal with, they would take appropriate action.  There really would not be anything for UIL to deal with.  They have had basketball and some other sport chapters for awhile.  Has anyone heard of them behaving inappropriately in the discipline process up to now?   I trust all of our chapters and the state to take care of business so UIL does not need to. 
Logged

Offline DallasLJ

  • *
  • Posts: 568
  • FAN REACTION: +16/-15
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #14 on: May 20, 2013, 07:24:04 PM »
Quote from: TXMike on May 20, 2013, 07:00:21 PM
While the discipline issue definitely can give you some reason for concern, I suspect the reality is that is going to be reserved for truly outrageous cases, and I would suspect if a local Chapter or the state association had something that bad to deal with, they would take appropriate action.  There really would not be anything for UIL to deal with.  They have had basketball and some other sport chapters for awhile.  Has anyone heard of them behaving inappropriately in the discipline process up to now?   I trust all of our chapters and the state to take care of business so UIL does not need to.

  Probably -- but I just don't want state employees in our business.  I'm can agree that registering to run background checks is probably a good thing -- but I do not want to have to answer to a state employee for a penalty enforcement, rule interpretation or similar issues.
Logged

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #15 on: May 20, 2013, 07:30:27 PM »
I don't get it.  Professionals in a wide range of occupations "answer to State employees" all the time for various issues related to their occupation. Far as I know we are not living in Oceania, yet anyway.  What is going to happen?  Do you seriously think some adverse action would be taken against you because you ruled a pass incomplete when video indicated it was complete?
Logged

Offline Chiefump

  • *
  • Posts: 45
  • FAN REACTION: +1/-5
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #16 on: May 21, 2013, 09:53:06 AM »
The legislation has changed since it was posted here.  The bill coming out of Senate Committee and going to the floor for vote allows UIL to charge, at this time, undetermined fees for registration and required training.   I'm not sure where our TASO leadership has been through this process.  I guess they got lulled into complacency by testifying for this bill in the House and didn't follow it when it got to the Senate.
Logged

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #17 on: May 21, 2013, 10:16:24 AM »
You  would be assuming wrong.  The editing was done BEFORE it went to the Senate.  They knew what the edits were and obviously determined they did not hurt the bill enough to warrant getting it stopped.  The bill was submitted by a Rep who is TASO-friendly.  If he or TASO thought it was no longer TASO- friendly it would have been killed immediately.

Everyone needs to calm down and not overreact.  UIL has ALWAYS had a role in what we do.  That is not new.  There are protections built in to ensure we (TASO) remain the major force in organizing and training sports officials. 
Logged

Offline Chiefump

  • *
  • Posts: 45
  • FAN REACTION: +1/-5
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #18 on: May 21, 2013, 12:05:21 PM »
It would certainly be nice if the TASO Board could find time to update their members.  If there is nothing to worry about, what control is TASO going to have over the UIL to prevent them from charging officials a registration fee?  I guess if they do charge a fee we can deduct that amount from our TASO DUES.  TASO needs to come out of the cloak and dagger mode and do a better job of keeping its members informed.
Logged

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #19 on: May 21, 2013, 12:39:19 PM »
They will be charging a fee but the fee can only cover the costs of running the background checks and all of the costs have to be made public so we know what the true cost is.  You were going to have to pay that whether TASO did these or UIL did these.    (And they WERE going to be done.)
Logged

Offline Welpe

  • *
  • Posts: 1860
  • FAN REACTION: +28/-11
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #20 on: May 21, 2013, 01:40:08 PM »
Fee or no fee, this bill when signed into law seems to get the UIL directly out of the sports officiating business. That is a big win and it maintains an independence for TASO that few, if any states can match.
Logged

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #21 on: May 22, 2013, 10:11:54 AM »
Bill passed the Senate yesterday.  It goes to to guvnah now. He can sign, veto or do nothing.  If he does nothing within 10 days, it becomes law.  If he vetoes it goes back.  The law takes effect immediately after guvnah's signature or refusal to act if it passed the House and Senate by 2/3 majority.  If it just passed with a simple majority then it would take effect Sep 1, 2013.  I do not know what the votes were yet as not published in the legislative history.
Logged

Offline TexDoc

  • *
  • Posts: 1861
  • FAN REACTION: +98/-26
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #22 on: May 22, 2013, 10:46:23 AM »
It seems this would affectively make the lawsuit moot. 
Logged

Offline TXMike

  • *
  • Posts: 8775
  • FAN REACTION: +229/-269
  • When you quit learning you quit living
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #23 on: May 22, 2013, 11:11:33 AM »
 ^good
Logged

Offline TxSkyBolt

  • *
  • Posts: 2007
  • FAN REACTION: +45/-46
Re: More UIL-related legislation
« Reply #24 on: May 22, 2013, 12:40:32 PM »
Read in the paper this morning some state senator is proposing an investigation into the UIL to begin in 2014 I believe it said.
Logged
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »