Mo. Gov. Kehoe signs SB 863 to oversee High School Athletics

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KQTV) -- Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed Missouri Senate Bill 863 on July 9, establishing oversight of high school athletics in the state.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Jason Bean and Representative Bennie Cook, established the Interscholastic Athletic Oversight Commission within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Governor Kehoe will appoint the five-member commission.

In the release, Kehoe offered comments on the bill after it was signed into law on Thursday.

“As I said in my State of the State address, unelected bureaucrats cannot act like kings, and the decisions of the Missouri State High School Activities Association should be held to a higher standard of oversight,” Governor Kehoe said. “This commission will allow for a more transparent appeals process and ensure the taxpayers who fund MSHSAA have a say in the decisions affecting students and their futures.”

Appeals involving contest procedures and student transfer eligibility will be heard by the commission. The Attorney General will represent the commission in any legal challenges to its final rulings.

The commission's decisions will be final and binding on state activities associations.

“As we talk about improving education and student outcomes, we must not overlook the role athletics and other extracurricular activities play in building leadership, teamwork, and resilience,” Kehoe continued. “I would like to thank the members of the General Assembly for supporting our efforts to ensure that the organizations overseeing student activities operate with transparency and accountability.”

Applications to serve on the Interscholastic Athletic Oversight Commission will be available at boards.mo.gov.