Legislators Press LHSAA Over transparency, transfers and select/nonselect split at first study committee hearing

The Joint Legislative Study Committee on the Louisiana High School Athletic Association opened its first hearing on May 20 as members pressed LHSAA leaders for details about governance, finances, eligibility and the association’s split championship model.

Speaker Pro Tem Johnson opened the meeting noting the association “currently plays a vital role in the lives of over 90,000 student athletes across Louisiana,” and said lawmakers had received calls and emails from parents, principals and coaches raising concerns about fairness and transparency.

Eddie Bonine, executive director of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, told the committee, “We will do anything we can to continue to participate, cooperate and whatever is necessary in this task force. We’re nothing to hide. We’ll work any way we can with you.” Bonine provided an overview of the LHSAA’s structure: an executive director, four assistant executive directors, roughly 14 staff members, a 28‑member executive committee of principals and association representatives, and a 176‑page administrative handbook containing constitution, bylaws and eligibility rules that are adopted by member school votes at an annual convention.

Why it matters: Committee members said the LHSAA’s rules determine who can play and how championships are structured, and they pressed for better public access to financial and procedural information because public schools, public facilities and taxpayer dollars are part of the athletic ecosystem.

Key facts and numbers discussed

- The LHSAA oversees roughly 94,000 student participants, about 10,000 coaches and 5,000 officials, and sanctions 17 state championship events (Bonine).

- The association’s annual budget runs about $4.8 million–$5.0 million, with approximately $280,963 in membership dues, sponsorship revenue near $1 million, and roughly $3.23 million attributed to championship event receipts (Bonine; Michael Federico, assistant executive director).

- The LHSAA reported processing about 3,181 eligibility requests per year, with roughly 89.4% approved (Bonine).

- The association said it maintains approximately $1.3 million in reserves and several hundred thousand dollars in cash (Bonine).

Governance and rulemaking

Bonine described the LHSAA rule‑making process: proposals are submitted for review and vote at the January annual convention. Constitutional changes need a two‑thirds vote of member schools; bylaw changes require a simple majority. The association’s executive committee and handbook committee prepare proposals for the membership vote, and adopted changes take effect July 1 of the following year.

The committee probed whether the executive committee can override a membership vote; Bonine said, “No, sir. Not on my watch,” and emphasized that membership votes control handbook content.

Transparency, audits and public records

Lawmakers repeatedly asked whether LHSAA financial documents and audits should be publicly available. Bonine said the association provides its annual audit to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and said he has “no opposition” to broader disclosure, but that membership and counsel would need to be consulted. Counsel Mark Boyer said litigation and prior court rulings have characterized the LHSAA as a private nonprofit organization, not a government body.

Committee members cited a 2023 Legislative Auditor figure showing $134,401 in fines that year and asked how much of LHSAA revenue originates from public funds (school budgets or gate receipts deposited to school accounts then forwarded to LHSAA). Bonine and Federico said revenues come from a mix of booster club funds, school remittances after events, sponsorships and gate receipts, and noted that contracts with venues and local partners vary by sport.

Select/nonselect split and classification

A central focus of the discussion was the LHSAA’s select/nonselect model and how it affects public schools. Bonine traced the split’s history, saying membership votes and educational‑option growth have increased the share of “select” schools to about 52% of membership. He described select schools as those that accept students from outside normal attendance zones (magnet, private or open‑enrollment schools). Several legislators, including Representative Johnson and Senator Seabaugh, said the split has created perceived competitive unfairness and urged renewed consideration of reunification or modification of the split.

Transfers and eligibility

Transfer policy, particularly the proposal for a one‑time transfer rule, drew extensive questioning. Bonine said the association has discussed a one‑time transfer (allowing a student to transfer once without a penalty) and planned to bring staff proposals to the handbook committee and membership; he said a version of the proposal was considered and failed at a recent convention vote (about 81% no, 19% yes on the last submission, per testimony). Bonine said a one‑time transfer could “solve a lot of what we have going on” but noted membership control over final changes.

Bonine described the LHSAA eligibility process: schools submit eligibility ruling requests (ERRs) to the eligibility center, the LHSAA has a hardship committee and, for hardship appeals, third‑party arbitration is available. Other appeals from the office go to the executive committee.

Compliance and enforcement

The LHSAA said it employs 10 compliance officers who attempt to help schools remain in compliance; when violations are found the handbook lays out specific penalties for first, second and subsequent offenses. Bonine said he and assistant directors and eligibility staff handle investigations and recommend actions; appeals are heard by the executive committee (a quorum required).

Parents, photography and streaming

Legislators raised complaints that parents have been told they could not livestream or record postseason games because LHSAA has an NFHS Network streaming agreement for semifinals and finals. Representative Johnson cited Revised Statute 17:176(D), which protects the right to record extracurricular activities; Bonine said he had not been aware of that statute previously and said the LHSAA would rectify any conflict between policy and state law.

Other topics

- The LHSAA said it has policies and a position statement on transgender participation that has been used in prior legislative debate (Bonine).

- Bonine described early planning on NIL education for member schools and said the association has attempted to help school administrators prepare, though it does not administer NIL arrangements.

- The association said it receives many calls and emails—varying with the season—on officiating, eligibility and discipline, and that staff triage and respond to inquiries from parents, principals and legislators.

Votes at a glance

- Election of chair: Motion made by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson to elect Representative John Weibel as chair. A second was recorded but not named on the transcript. The committee voted by voice; no opposition was recorded. Outcome: Approved; Representative John Weibel seated as chair.

- Election of vice chair: Senator Edmonds nominated for vice chair; Representative Chasson seconded. Committee voted by voice with no recorded opposition. Outcome: Approved; Senator Edmonds elected vice chair.

Discussion and next steps

Committee members asked the LHSAA to provide copies of the LHSAA handbook, the association’s budget and the annual audit. Several legislators urged the association and executive committee to revisit the one‑time transfer proposal; multiple members said they would consider legislative options if the membership did not act.

The committee will schedule further hearings and invited LHSAA leaders and other stakeholders—including school superintendents and principals representatives—to return with additional documents and proposals.

Ending

The committee adjourned after scheduling follow‑up and collecting a copy of the LHSAA handbook and staff contact information for later sessions.