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Bill would require a cash option at school sporting events and remove outdated transfer language; IHSA says most schools already offer cash
Summary
House Bill 1064 would require schools to offer a cash payment option at athletic event entrances and would remove an outdated transfer provision from state code; the IHSA told the committee most member schools already offer cash at the gate.
House Bill 1064 was presented to the Senate Education, Career and Technical Development Committee on March 26. Representative Corey Criswell said the bill would do two things: (1) require a cash payment option at the door for school athletic events so that attendees without electronic payment methods can gain entry; and (2) clean up and remove an older statutory provision related to student transfers so the state code aligns with planned IHSA policy changes.
Criswell said most schools already provide a cash option; he told the committee he had experienced being turned away when only electronic payment was accepted and viewed the bill as ensuring access for grandparents, parents and others who carry only cash.
Paul Nutt, commissioner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, testified in support, saying the IHSA ‘‘preaches’’ that if someone walks in with cash the school should provide accommodation and that IHSA requires host schools at association tournaments to accept cash. Nutt noted institutions often decline cash because of staffing and bookkeeping concerns—schools sometimes use student workers, and cash handling raises security and reconciliation costs—but he said many member schools already offer cash sales and the association returns tournament proceeds to member schools.
Criswell also asked that statutory language about transfers be updated; the commissioner said the provision being struck is ‘‘archaic’’ and that the association annually reviews and adjusts transfer rules. The IHSA representative said transfers and transfer appeals are governed primarily by association bylaws and an established case review panel, not the archaic line in statute.
No members of the public registered to testify for or against HB1064 at the committee hearing.
Quote from the hearing
"If somebody walks in the door with a $20 bill, we should have an accommodation to make sure that we can accept that person into that contest," —Paul Nutt, Commissioner, Indiana High School Athletic Association.
Ending note: The committee heard the bill in a hearing session; representatives indicated further discussions would be necessary as the Legislature considers whether to place the requirement into statute or leave the practice to local school boards and association policy.
