H.R. 11 Enrolled

ELIGIBILITY FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC
ATHLETICS RESOLUTION
2004 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Ann W. Hardy

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This resolution of the House of Representatives urges the Utah State Board of
Education to review and take action to resolve concerns regarding student transfers and
athletic eligibility.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
. urges the Utah State Board of Education to review, in consultation with the Utah
High School Activities Association, issues related to student transfers and athletic
eligibility and take action to resolve concerns regarding these processes.
Special Clauses:
None

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, Utah Code Subsection 53A-2-208 (4) states "The State Board of
Education, in consultation with the Utah High School Activities Association, shall establish
policies regarding nonresident student participation in interscholastic competition.";
WHEREAS, an audit published by the Office of the Legislative Auditor General in June,
2003 indicated that there are inconsistencies between bylaws of the Utah High School Activities
Association and rules of the Utah State Office of Education regarding the transfer and athletic
eligibility of students;
WHEREAS, academics is the purpose of public education and athletic participation is a
privilege that should be conducted in a way that is beneficial to all who desire to participate;

WHEREAS, academics and not athletics should determine school choice;
WHEREAS, rules of the State Board of Education and bylaws of the Utah High School
Activities Association should prevent recruiting of all students at any age for the purpose of
playing sports at a particular high school and address the issues identified in the Legislative
Auditor General's audit;
WHEREAS, the rules and bylaws should treat equally all students who want to compete
athletically for a high school outside of their home boundary whether they make this decision
before or after beginning high school;
WHEREAS, the Utah State Board of Education has asked for additional time to review
the issue and take action;
WHEREAS, efforts to bring consistency to the rules of the Utah State Office of Education
and the bylaws of the Utah High School Activities Association should ensure that they are also
consistent with state law; and
WHEREAS, if action is not taken before the 2005 General Session, the Legislature should
strongly consider taking action to resolve the issues surrounding student transfers and athletic
eligibility:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the state
of Utah urges the Utah State Board of Education to review, in consultation with the Utah High
School Activities Association, the issues related to student transfers and athletic eligibility and
take action to resolve concerns regarding these processes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah State
Board of Education, the Utah State Office of Education, and the Utah High School Activities
Association.

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