CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Senate passed a bill allowing participation in public school athletics by homeschoolers or by students of private schools that don’t offer the sport.
The final score was 24 in favor, nine against and one absent.
Senators also passed a bill allowing the state to assume oversight of big tourism development projects in very small towns.
The bill about athletics participation — which is called the Tim Tebow Act after the football star who was a homeschooler — has been considered by the Legislature each of the past few years.
The bill now goes to the House of Delegates. Gov. Jim Justice, who vetoed the bill a couple of years ago, told MetroNews last week that he would now sign it if it reaches his desk.
“I think sports promote leadership. I think sports promote a better empathy for other students,” said Senator Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, who described several years of his own participation as an assistant basketball coach at Huntington High.
“So with all that being said I wonder why we would exclude these students,” Woelfel said, speaking in favor of the bill.
But Senator Mike Romano, D-Harrison, said the bill would confuse the current high school athletics system in West Virginia by applying to students at private schools that are not already in the Secondary Schools Activities Commission.
“It’s going to upset the system that governs high school sports in this state,” Romano said.
Woelfel questioned Romano about the bill on the Senate floor. “Please say no,” Senate President Mitch Carmichael said, somewhat jokingly, as Romano considered whether to take Woelfel’s questions.
“Why would you exclude these children from participating in sports when their parents are paying their property taxes?” Woelfel asked Romano.
Romano responded, “My concern is we’ve not considered the system as it currently exists, as it governs itself. We’re micromanaging the school system from an athletics standpoint. By allowing the non-SSAC private and parochial schools into this system, we’re actually disadvantaging the private and parochial schools that are part of the SSAC.”
Senator Patricia Rucker, R-Jefferson, introducing the bill on the Senate floor, said the bill attempts to put student athletes on equal ground.
For example, they are subject to same transfer protocols as others, pay any participation or activity fee, adhere to same standards and code of conduct as other participants and are subject to the same physical exam and vaccination requirements as others.
“The intent is not to guarantee a student trying out will make the team but just that they have the chance to try out,” Rucker said.
Another bill would establish Tourism Development Districts.
The bill would allow for five Tourism Development Districts in West Virginia, although only one has been specified so far — the long-discussed, $139 million Hill Top House hotel project in Harpers Ferry.
The act would enable the state Development Office to spearhead a project under certain conditions. The Department of Transportation is required to provide support, including acquiring and developing streets and roads.
The bill would apply to Class IV municipalities of fewer than 2,000 residents. And it would apply to projects with investments of more than $25 million, in historic districts and qualifying for state tourism tax credits, which have their own requirements.
Senator John Unger, D-Berkeley said he is concerned about the Class IV municipalities that could be affected. He questioned whether local authority is being usurped.
“The concern I have with this particular piece of legislation goes beyond just the Hill Top,” Unger said.