HB19 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kyle South

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Schools, athletics, State Board of Education to approve any rules relating to student participation eligibility before adoption by a high school athletic organization

Summary

HB 19 would require SBOE approval of student eligibility rules for high school athletics before adoption, require at least 25% of an athletic organization's governing body to be appointed by education officials, and mandate audits by the state's public accounts department.

What This Bill Does

It ensures that any rules about which students can participate in high school sports are reviewed and approved by the State Board of Education before the athletic organization can use them. It also changes the leadership of athletic organizations to include a minimum share of members appointed by the education department, and it requires regular audits by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. The act defines what counts as a high school athletic organization and sets an effective date for these changes.

Who It Affects

• High school athletic organizations that receive public funds or use public facilities, which must obtain SBOE approval for eligibility rules and meet the new governance and audit requirements.
• Students and schools involved in high school athletics, whose eligibility rules would be reviewed and approved before they can be put into effect.

Key Provisions

• Definition of athletic organization: high school athletic groups that receive public funds, use public facilities, and have employees in the Retirement Systems of Alabama.
• Rule approval requirement: no student eligibility rules may be enforced, amended, or adopted without prior written approval of the State Board of Education; SBOE to develop a review process for existing and proposed rules.
• Governance requirement: by January 1, 2020, at least 25% of the organization's governing body must be appointed by the State Superintendent of Education or the State Board of Education.
• Audit requirement: the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts shall audit the athletic organization in the same manner as a state agency.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Schools