local broadcasters could carry UIL playoff games

The text as introduced · 399 words

89R13410 AB-F

By: Hefner
H.B. No. 4375

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to broadcast coverage agreements for postseason activity

of students representing a University Interscholastic League

member school.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 33.0813 to read as follows:

Sec. 33.0813. UNIVERSITY INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE POSTSEASON

BROADCAST AGREEMENTS. (a) In this section:

(1) "Local broadcaster" means a radio or television

station that broadcasts over radio, television, or a live streaming

platform live or recorded audio or video coverage of student

activity for a school in a local broadcast area, including a

student-organized broadcast offered as an educational course or

program by the school.

(2) "Postseason activity" means a University

Interscholastic League sponsored activity that occurs after the

conclusion of a regular sport season, including a single game or

tournament.

(b) Notwithstanding any agreement executed by the

University Interscholastic League authorizing a private entity to

provide exclusive broadcast coverage for a postseason activity of

students representing a member school, a local broadcaster may

provide broadcast coverage of the postseason activity if the local

broadcaster:

(1) broadcasts a majority of the students' activities

in a regular season under a valid agreement with the school; and

(2) complies with any agreement executed under

Subsection (c).

(c) The University Interscholastic League may require a

local broadcaster to execute an agreement to provide postseason

broadcasting coverage authorized under Subsection (b) that

includes provisions:

(1) requiring the local broadcaster to pay reasonable

compensation to the University Interscholastic League for a video

broadcast;

(2) requiring approval by the site hosting the

postseason activity of the local broadcaster's coverage;

(3) establishing limitations on the type of

organizations the local broadcaster may arrange as sponsors for the

broadcast; and

(4) requiring the local broadcaster to provide

competent and professional announcers for the broadcast.

(d) The University Interscholastic League may not execute

an agreement authorizing a private entity to provide exclusive

postseason broadcast coverage that conflicts with this section.

SECTION 2. Section 33.0813, Education Code, as added by

this Act, applies only to an agreement between the University

Interscholastic League and a local broadcaster to provide broadcast

coverage of a postseason activity of students representing member

schools that is entered into on or after the effective date of this

Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.