89R13410 AB-F
By: Hughes S.B. No. 2511
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.