State Representative Mike Volz told Spokane County Spotlight he sponsored a bill intended to protect high-school and college opportunities for female athletes. Volz said the intent was to preserve scholarships and competitive opportunities for young women and to align state rules with national and international governing bodies.

"We're depriving young ladies of opportunities for the next level... maybe to college and get a scholarship," Volz said, describing the bill’s purpose. He added that the NCAA and international federations are changing rules and that multiple lawsuits are pending in state and federal courts on the issue.

Why it matters: Volz said the bill matters to local school boards, coaches and student-athletes who value competitive fairness and college opportunities. He told the program that some local school-board members and community members thanked him for addressing the issue.

Status and next steps: Volz said the topic will likely continue to move through litigation and federal policy decisions, and he suggested the matter could return to the Legislature depending on court outcomes and federal funding considerations.