Committee issues do‑not‑pass on high‑school activities bill; association agrees to independent appeals board
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Summary
The House Education Committee voted a do‑not‑pass recommendation on House Bill 14‑91 but received notice the High School Activities Association’s board approved creation of an independent appeals/hearing body to review certain eligibility decisions.
The House Education Committee voted to recommend a do‑not‑pass on House Bill 14‑91 after an extended discussion about recruiting, transfers and appeals in high‑school athletics and activities. At the same hearing, members were told the High School Activities Association (HSAA) board met Friday and approved development of an independent hearing/appeals committee.
Representative Jonas, who led the committee discussion of the bill, said the association, its sponsors and committee members had been in discussion and that the HSAA held a special meeting on Friday to consider possible reforms. Jonas described progress on adding an appeals step involving a board of at least three independent individuals chosen from around the state to hear hardship and eligibility appeals. Jonas said the association surveyed athletic directors and that "91%" of ADs responded favorably to current practices in one question; he added the association will reconsider policies that committee members have challenged.
Committee debate centered on preserving the integrity of teams at small rural schools and concerns about recruiting and transfers that opponents said could undermine small‑school athletics and activities. Supporters of the bill said the association has been responsive and that adding an independent appeals function could address some committee concerns.
Representative Jonas moved a do‑not‑pass motion; the committee approved the do‑not‑pass motion on a roll call recorded as 9 yes, 5 no. Jonas later reported receiving a text from the association’s executive director, Matt Fetch, indicating the HSAA board had approved work to develop an independent hearing committee "starting next year." Committee leaders said the association’s commitment to create an independent appeals mechanism influenced some members to resist a final effort to kill the bill outright.
The do‑not‑pass recommendation will be reflected in the committee record; the bill carrier accepted responsibility to carry the measure to the Senate/House floor in its current posture.