hb1316_LC_37_0122S_hcs_5.html
06 LC 37 0122S
House Bill 1316 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By: Representatives Martin of the 47th, Roberts of the 154th, Watson of the 91st, Burkhalter of the 50th, Parrish of the 156th, and others


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for the creation of the High School Athletics Overview Committee; to provide for its composition, powers, and duties; to provide for reports; to provide for performance criteria; to provide for expenditure of funds; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education, is amended by adding a new article to the end of such chapter to be designated Article 32 to read as follows:

"ARTICLE 32

20-2-2100.
(a) There is created as a joint committee of the General Assembly the High School Athletics Overview Committee to be composed of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, one of whom shall be a member of the minority party; five members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Assignments, one of whom shall be a member of the minority party; the chairperson of the House Committee on Education or his or her designee; and the chairperson of the Senate Education and Youth Committee or his or her designee. The members of the committee shall serve two-year terms concurrent with their terms as members of the General Assembly. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Assignments shall each designate a cochairperson from among the appointees of their respective houses. The cochairpersons shall serve terms of two years concurrent with their terms as members of the General Assembly. Vacancies in an appointed membeŕs position or in the offices of cochairperson of the committee shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The committee shall periodically inquire into and review the operations of high school athletic associations, as defined in subsection (c) of this Code section.
(b) No high school which receives funding under Article 6 of this chapter shall participate in, sponsor, or provide coaching staff for interscholastic sports events which are conducted under the authority of, conducted under the rules of, or scheduled by any high school athletics association unless such association complies with the provisions of this article.
(c) As used in this Code section, the term 'committee' means the High School Athletics Overview Committee, and the term 'high school athletic association' means any association of schools or any other similar organization which acts as an organizing, sanctioning, scheduling, or rule-making body for interscholastic athletic events in which public high schools in this state participate.

20-2-2101.
The Department of Education, the Attorney General, and all other agencies of state government, upon request by the committee, shall assist the committee in the discharge of its duties set forth in this article. The committee may employ staff and may secure the services of consultants as appropriate and subject to available funding. Upon authorization by joint resolution of the General Assembly, the committee shall have the power while the General Assembly is in session or during the interim between sessions to request the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents in aid of its duties. In addition, when the General Assembly is not in session, the committee shall have the power to request the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents in aid of its duties, upon application of the cochairpersons of the committee, with the concurrence of the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

20-2-2102.
All high school athletic associations in this state shall cooperate with the committee, its authorized personnel, the Attorney General, the Department of Education, and other state agencies in order that the charges of the committee may be timely and efficiently discharged. The associations shall submit to the committee such reports and data as the committee shall reasonably require in order that the committee may adequately perform its functions. The Attorney General is authorized to bring appropriate legal actions to enforce any laws specifically or generally relating to the associations. The committee shall, on or before the first day of January of each year, and at such other times as it deems necessary, submit to the General Assembly a report of its findings and recommendations based upon the review of the high school athletic associations, as set forth in this chapter.

20-2-2103.
In the discharge of its duties, the committee shall evaluate the performance of high school athletic associations consistent with the following criteria:
(1) Fairness and equity in establishing and implementing its standards; and
(2) The promotion of academic achievement and good sportsmanship.

20-2-2104.
(a) The committee is authorized to expend state funds available to the committee for the discharge of its duties. Said funds may be used for the purposes of compensating staff, paying for services of consultants, and paying all other necessary expenses incurred by the committee in performing its duties.
(b) The members of the committee shall receive the same compensation, per diem, expenses, and allowances for their service on the committee as is authorized by law for members of interim legislative study committees.
(c) The funds necessary for the purposes of the committee shall come from the funds appropriated to and available to the legislative branch of government.

20-2-2105.
This article shall be repealed effective December 31, 2010."

SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.