Texas Asso of Sports Oficials v UIL

[bluehair]

This thread may be of interest to Texas sports officials only.

Originally Posted by NavyChiefBlue

UIL v TASO lawsuit is quickly coming to an end. A Representative in the Texas House sponsored HB 1775. It passed the House and the Senate, it now awaits the Governor 's signature. From my understanding, the sides came together once this bill was introduced. We will see how it all pans out, as there are other issues on the table, but here is what the bill says, in laymans terms.

- The bill would prohibit the University Interscholastic League (UIL) from registering, charging fees, or requiring membership in any sponsoring organization of sports officials as a precondition to contract with a school district or open-enrollment charter school.
- The bill would prohibit the UIL from sponsoring or organizing any organization of sports officials or influencing the selection of sports officials by school districts or open-enrollment charter schools.
- The bill would allow the UIL to set the rates or fee schedules payable by school districts or open-enrollment charter schools to sports officials.

Maybe we will finally get that pay raise we were expecting a few years ago.

I do not have a law background, and I may be mis-reading the bill (bill text here), but I do not see some of the items stated in the post above (I look forward to be corrected if I am wrong). From my reading:
- UIL can/will require registration of sports officials working UIL games.
- UIL can charge a fee that covers the registration process only.
- UIL is prohibited from sponsoring/organizing sports officials.

I am happily surprised that the state legislature specifically limited UIL's authority and look forward to this law suit being settled. Though it is yet to be seen, I think this bodes well for the survival of TASO. But I wonder how those sports that abandoned TASO in favor of UIL will be received back.

[nopachunts]

Looks like we may be getting our $10.00 raise.

[NavyChiefBlue]

Unless you are currently making $50 per game (understand if they pay gate), the raise should be $15 (to $60 per game fee).

As far as the wording on the bill, it does sound confusing, but the site I pulled the other info from was linked to the bill.

Hopefully it will be all cleared up by the time football rolls around.

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by NavyChiefBlue

Unless you are currently making $50 per game (understand if they pay gate), the raise should be $15 (to $60 per game fee).

As far as the wording on the bill, it does sound confusing, but the site I pulled the other info from was linked to the bill.

Hopefully it will be all cleared up by the time football rolls around.

Under 1204c, we are being paid $45.00 plus $0.55 per mile round trip. I thought that the base was going to $55.00. You usually don't have to worry about gate until playoffs. There are very few schools that charge admission to regular season games and if they do, somehow there wasn't enough gate receipts to pay extra to the umpires.

[NavyChiefBlue]

The new 1204 is $60. Usually don't see gate during season, but we do have one district that pays $50, no matter what. Most schools in this area do charge admission. I do know that if affects the travel pay as well, but not exactly sure on that. I need to do some more reading.

[nopachunts]

Originally Posted by NavyChiefBlue

The new 1204 is $60. Usually don't see gate during season, but we do have one district that pays $50, no matter what. Most schools in this area do charge admission. I do know that if affects the travel pay as well, but not exactly sure on that. I need to do some more reading.

I'm glad to see the base rate is going to $60.00. The mileage rate will be set on what the State Comptroller sets the mileage reimbursement rate as of September 1, 2013. The rate is carried for the 2013-14 school year.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Is the UIL a private organization like the OhioHSAA, MichgianHSAA, FloridaHSAA, NCAA, etc.?

[RonA]

Originally Posted by bluehair

This thread may be of interest to Texas sports officials only.
I do not have a law background, and I may be mis-reading the bill (bill text here), but I do not see some of the items stated in the post above (I look forward to be corrected if I am wrong). From my reading:
- UIL can/will require registration of sports officials working UIL games.
- UIL can charge a fee that covers the registration process only.
- UIL is prohibited from sponsoring/organizing sports officials.

I am happily surprised that the state legislature specifically limited UIL's authority and look forward to this law suit being settled. Though it is yet to be seen, I think this bodes well for the survival of TASO. But I wonder how those sports that abandoned TASO in favor of UIL will be received back.

Having read the bill myself, it doesn't appear that there is much difference from things as they now are. That being said, if UIL is still in charge of setting fees (and according to the way I read the bill, they are) that does not necessarily mean that there will be a pay raise. As I recall, it was TASO who voted in the pay raise, NOT UIL. As such, I don't see any real raise coming.

Furthermore, if UIL is still left in charge of things (aside from organizing officials), Then what is the need of TASO? The regulatory provisions of the bill still give UIL complete power over officials in terms of sanctioning. This was one of the BIG issues among members when voting to stay/leave TASO. With UIL representing the interests of the school, there would be no one at the table for the official.

Just sayin'

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by RonA

As I recall, it was TASO who voted in the pay raise, NOT UIL. As such, I don't see any real raise coming.

The UIL voted in the pay raises when they approved the new version of 1204. The new version is in the UIL constitution but was never implemented due to the law suit.

Furthermore, if UIL is still left in charge of things (aside from organizing officials), Then what is the need of TASO?

This bill removes UIL from the direct training and assigning of officials for the regular seasons, which is no small part of it. The ability for them to level sanctions could be problematic, and I certainly recall the concern over Timmons directly threatening to call officials to Austin.

The law is certainly a compromise. Thankfully we can put the lawsuit behind us and work to rebuild the relationship between TASO and the UIL. And enjoy a small pay raise, too.