SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6336

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) to submit an annual report to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) of student appeals, assets, and finances.
Grants OSPI review and approval authority over rules and policies adopted by WIAA.
Requires that championship basketball tournaments held by WIAA contain 16 teams per classification, be held on consecutive days, and occur in the same city or county.

Background: In Washington State, school boards may delegate control, supervision, and regulation of extracurricular activities to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) or any other voluntary nonprofit entity.

The WIAA is authorized under Washington law to create rules and policies, and impose penalties for rules violations. In creating rules and policies, the WIAA must provide notice and opportunity to contest.

Prior to 2006, the WIAA was required to submit an annual report to the State Board of Education (SBE) of student appeal determinations, assets, and financial receipts and disbursements. In addition, all WIAA rule amendments and repeals of rules were subject to review and approval of the SBE.

WIAA Basketball Tournaments. In the 2010-2011 school year, the WIAA shifted from 16-team double-elimination championship basketball tournaments to a separated format. Rather than have each classification—4A, 3A, etc.—play at a single location, tournaments are currently split into two separate weekends, with regional competitions determining the final eight teams per classification, that then play at a single location.

Final tournament locations have included the Tacoma Dome, the Sun Dome in Yakima, and Spokane Arena.

Summary of Bill: OSPI Oversight of WIAA. The WIAA, or any such voluntary organization, must submit an annual report to OSPI of student appeal determinations, assets, and financial receipts as OSPI establishes by rule.

Any rules and policies adopted by WIAA are subject to the annual review and approval of OSPI, as are amendments and repeals of these rules and policies.

Interscholastic Championship Basketball Tournaments. Any championship basketball tournament held by the WIAA, or any such voluntary organization, must:

contain 16 teams per classification;
be held on consecutive days; and
occur in the same city or county.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: As written, current rules do not provide students adequate due process. There is a lack of oversight over WIAA as the current law stands. Granting oversight to WIAA will help address concerns of students and parents. WIAA does not allow adequate input from constituents, which has led to detrimental impacts for students.

CON: The current WIAA membership-driven system allows for voices from stakeholders and public input. WIAA actions relating to the basketball tournaments were in response to a lengthy process with input. As it stands, the WIAA operates with large grass-roots input. Changes mandated in the bill would create increased costs and may lead to program reductions or cost increases. OSPI is focused on student academic achievement, not athletics.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Michael Baumgartner, Prime Sponsor; Pat Fitterer, Basketball Coaches Association. CON: Pat McCarthy, WIAA; Jerry Striegel, Washington State Secondary School Athletic Administrators; Mike Colbrese, WIAA; Jim Kowalkowski, Superintendent, Davenport School District; Suzie Hanson, Washington Federation Of Independent Schools. OTHER: Dave Mastin, OSPI.