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Panel backs measures to limit year‑round specialization and strengthen UHSAA enforcement after large survey of parents and coaches
Summary
The committee recommended HB 293 as amended to add a second one‑week summer moratorium, require an eight‑week sport‑specific off‑season (with UHSAA implementation), reduce weekly permitted practice hours from 20 to 15 (max 3 hours per day), and direct UHSAA to standardize penalties. Sponsors cited an 8,300‑response survey showing parental concern; UHSAA and district leaders urged caution to protect equity for rural and low‑income students.
Representative Katie Hall presented HB 293 after a survey she helped organize generated more than 8,300 responses from parents, students and coaches. Athletic director Rick Corbridge described spring scheduling pressures — multiple sports overlapping, intensive off‑season training and stretched facility/custodial capacity — and said coaches and families requested clearer off‑season limits and consistent penalties.
HB 293 would require schools to select one additional one‑week summer moratorium (in addition to the July 4 week), direct UHSAA to create an eight‑week sport‑specific off‑season (flexible and sport‑sensitive), lower weekly practice time from 20 to 15 hours and limit daily practice to three hours, and require UHSAA to set and enforce consistent penalties across regions. Representative Hall said the bill is intentionally non‑prescriptive about exact off‑season activities, leaving details to UHSAA in consultation with coaches and athletic directors.
Public testimony included support from many parents and coaches seeking rest and cross‑training for students and cautions from UHSAA leadership, superintendents and principals who said a single statutory rule may disadvantage rural and lower‑income students who lack year‑round club or private training. An amendment (sponsored by Representative Auxier) added language permitting reasonable modifications for rural regions; the amendment was adopted and the committee recommended HB 293 favorably. Dissenting members cited concerns about equity, enforcement and potential unintended consequences.
