SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2016

BYRepresentatives Miller, Jacobsen, Spanel, Heavey, Wood, Belcher, H. Myers, Inslee, Rector, Hankins, Anderson, O'Brien, R. King, Valle, Winsley, Jesernig, P. King and Kremen

Requiring a conference on gender equity in athletics.

House Committe on Higher Education

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 27, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Saling, Chairman; Patterson, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Cantu, Smitherman, Stratton, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Jean Six (786-7423)

                  March 27, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MARCH 27, 1989

BACKGROUND:

During 1988, a House subcommittee of the Higher Education and Education Committees studied the opportunities available to male and female athletes in high school and college.  The subcommittee found that, during the 1987-88 academic year, at state baccalaureate universities, female participants in intercollegiate athletic programs comprised 29 to 38 percent of the total.  These women athletes comprised between 29 to 31 percent of the athletes receiving financial aid, and their programs received between 26 to 36 percent of the available funding.  In contrast, young women competing in high school interscholastic competition comprised 39 percent of the participants.

The subcommittee recommended the introduction of legislation that would encourage equitable intercollegiate athletic opportunities for male and female students.  One of the recommended bills would direct the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to sponsor a gender equity conference for persons involved in athletic programs.

SUMMARY:

The Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Superintendent of Public Instruction are directed to sponsor a gender equity in athletics conference in 1990.  The conference will be held for the benefit of coaches, administrators, teachers, sports information personnel, people involved in community sports programs, the media, and others interested in intercollegiate and interscholastic athletic programs.

The purposes of the conference are outlined.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 17, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Jacobsen; Representative Miller; Stephanie Adams, WSU student