SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1579

                    As of February 12, 2000

Title:  An act relating to interscholastic activities.

Brief Description:  Clarifying the review process for appeals from decisions of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Sponsors:  Representatives Quall and Cooper.

Brief History:  Passed House 3/4/99, 95-0.

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:  3/31/99; 2/23/00.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Staff:  Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background:  The boards of directors of each school district have the authority to control, supervise, and regulate the conduct of interschool athletic and extracurricular activities.  The boards may delegate this function to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) or to any other voluntary nonprofit entity.  The boards may compensate these entities for their services providing certain conditions are met.  Among these conditions is the requirement that a student be provided with notice and an opportunity to be heard before being denied participation in, or to continue in, an interschool activity.

Decisions made by the WIAA or other nonprofit are considered to be a decision of the school district.  Current law states that decisions of the school district shall be reviewed de novo.

Summary of Bill:  The decision of the WIAA or other nonprofit entity that controls, supervises, or regulates an interschool activity is reviewed expeditiously without a jury, is confined to the record, and is limited to whether the decision was arbitrary, capricious, or contrary to law.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.