GA SB288

High schools receiving Quality Basic Education Act funding are prohibited from participating in, sponsoring, or providing coaching staff for interscholastic sports events unless the governing athletic association publishes an annual financial report within 90 days of the end of its calendar or fiscal year, including a complete statement of assets, liabilities, income, and operating expenses.

Creates the High School Athletics Overview Committee as a joint legislative committee composed of 12 members: 5 House members appointed by the Speaker, 5 Senate members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and the chairpersons (or designees) of the House Education Committee and Senate Education and Youth Committee, with at least one minority party member from each chamber.

The committee is charged with periodically reviewing the operations of high school athletic associations, evaluating them on fairness and equity in establishing and implementing standards and the promotion of academic achievement and good sportsmanship.

All high school athletic associations must cooperate with the committee, the Attorney General, and the Department of Education, and submit required reports and data; the Attorney General is authorized to bring legal actions to enforce compliance.

The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 1 of each year, and is funded through legislative branch appropriations, with members compensated at the same rate as interim legislative study committee members.