A state commission hears appeals over limited school sports disputes

A five-member commission may hear certain appeals about decisions by statewide activities associations. Covered associations are nonprofit statewide groups that support secondary-school activities, have more than half their activities in school sports, and include at least one fee-paying public school or district. Charter schools count as public schools; groups that do not support school sports are excluded. The commission hears appeals after the association's appeal process is exhausted, but an appealing party may file directly without first exhausting that process. The commission hears only appeals about students deemed to have transferred for athletic purposes and about contests or contest procedures. The commission may hear these appeals starting in the 2027–28 school year and in later school years.

The commission may recommend rule changes, and each covered association must report to legislative committees. These provisions apply to covered statewide activities associations. The association considers recommendations through its own rulemaking process; this provision does not require it to adopt them. Each report is due within the first 30 days of the legislative session.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must support the commission and set rules for its appeal process. The department must provide administrative and financial personnel to support the commission's appeal work. Rules must follow Missouri's rulemaking requirements. If legislative powers to review, delay, or reject rules are later held unconstitutional, the rulemaking authority and rules proposed or adopted after August 28, 2026, are invalid and void.