SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Other Prep Sports Legislative Bill H.4163 and Its Impact on the SCHSL

TO: Superintendents, Principals, and Athletic Directors
FROM: Dr. Jerome Singleton, Commissioner

SC High School League

SUBJECT: Legislative Bill H.4163 and Its Impact on the SCHSL
DATE: March 10, 2025
Greetings,
I am writing to inform you about a significant legislative development that could greatly
affect the future of high school athletics in South Carolina. On March 6, 2025, a bill—
H.4163—was filed in the South Carolina state legislature, proposing the dissolution of the
South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) and the establishment of a new state
athletics association. This proposed legislation, if passed, would fundamentally change
the governance structure of high school athletics in our state. A copy of the Bill is attached.
Also attached is a summary of the Bill and some talking points to share with your
legislators when speaking against the Bill.
Key Provisions of Bill H.4163:
1. Abolition of the SCHSL: The bill seeks to dissolve the SCHSL and replace it with
a newly created state athletics association.
2. State Control of Governance: The governance of the new athletics association
would be controlled by a committee appointed by the state legislature. This
committee would replace the existing self-governing structure where member
schools have a say in decision-making.
3. Loss of Local Control: Member schools would lose their ability to self-govern as
part of the association, with oversight and decision-making now in the hands of the
appointed committee.
This proposed bill is a drastic departure from the current system, where member schools
have a voice in the decisions that shape the athletic experience for student-athletes
across South Carolina. The bill raises concerns about reducing local autonomy and the
potential impact on the quality and fairness of high school sports.

Call to Action:
I strongly encourage all member schools to take immediate action to protect the rights
and interests of our students, athletes, coaches, and school communities. We ask that
you contact your respective legislators to express your opposition to Bill H.4163.
Specifically, we recommend that you:
1. Reach out to your legislators to clearly voice your concerns about the potential
loss of local control over high school athletics.
2. Explain how self-governance by member schools has been crucial in creating a
fair and competitive environment for student-athletes and maintaining the integrity
of high school sports.
3. Highlight the benefits of the current system in which the SCHSL allows schools
to collaborate, make decisions collectively, and prioritize the best interests of
students.
You must act quickly to ensure our voices are heard in the legislative process. Please

urge your school community—teachers, administrators, coaches, parents, and student-
athletes—to join in this effort and stand together in opposition to this bill.

Conclusion:
This bill represents a significant shift in how high school athletics could be governed in
South Carolina, and it is essential that we act now to preserve the autonomy of our
schools and the integrity of our athletic programs. Your involvement is crucial to ensuring
that our collective voice is heard and that we protect the future of high school athletics in
South Carolina.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact
me.

IN BRIEF, The House focused on “cleaning their calendar” this week in order to focus on the budget
deliberations next week. They passed Conventions of State, Small Business Regulatory Freedom, Utility Storm
Cost Recovery, and Liquor Liability bills. The Senate spent their week on Allocation of Fault/Tort Reform while
Finance subcommittees continued to hold budget hearings. The House Education and Public Works Committee
spent six hours hearing testimony on DEI, while the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee spent three hours hearing
testimony on Rep. McCravy’s bill to eliminate exceptions to the abortion law.

NEW BILL INTRODUCED: SC HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION ACT
H.4163, by Reps. Erickson, Bowers, Bradley, Crawford, Davis, Pedalino, Hartnett, Neese, MM Smith, Oremus,
Lawson, Vaughan, Mitchell, Herbkersman, BJ Cox, B Newton, Collins, BL Cox, Forrest, Brewer, Burns,
McGinnis, and Gatch, would create the SC High School Athletic Association.

CHAPTER 9 South Carolina High School Athletic Association
Section 59-9-110. (A) There is established the South Carolina High School Athletic Association (SCHAA), an
eleemosynary corporation, the resources of which must be used to promote, facilitate, assist, and govern
interscholastic athletic programs and events within and among middle and high schools in the State.
(B) The board of directors for the association shall carry out activities necessary to ensure that athletic programs
and competitions are carried out in a fair, safe, and competitive manner.

Section 59-9-120. (A) There is created the Board of Directors for the association composed of eleven
individuals who are not current members of the General Assembly as follows:
(1) one member appointed by the State Superintendent of Education who shall serve as the chair;
(2) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(3) one member appointed by the Chair of the House Education and Public Works Committee;
(4) one member appointed by the Leader of the House Majority Caucus;
(5) one member appointed by the Leader of the House Minority Caucus;
(6) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;
(7) one member appointed by the Chair of the Senate Education Committee;
(8) one member appointed by the Leader of the Senate Majority Caucus;
(9) one member appointed by the Leader of the Senate Minority Caucus; and
(10) two members appointed by the Governor, one of which must be recommended by the South Carolina
Association of School Administrators.
(B) No two members may reside within the boundaries of the same traditional school district.
(C) A member of the board may not be currently employed as an athletics director, coach, principal,
superintendent, or other school leader.
(D) Members shall serve for terms of four years and until successors are appointed and qualify. Vacancies for
any reason must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired term.
(E) Members may be paid per diem, mileage, and subsistence as established by the board not to exceed the
amounts provided by law for state boards, committees, and commissions. A complete report of the activities of
the association must be made annually to the General Assembly.

Section 59-9-130. The board may contract with a third party to assist in the establishment and initial operation
of the association. The contract is subject to the requirements of Chapter 35, Title 11.

Section 59-9-140. To carry out its assigned functions, the board is required, but not limited to:
(1) establish rules and bylaws for the operation of the association;
(2) create rules for the participation in, and conduct of, athletic competitions within the State;
(3) establish requirements for student participation that do not contradict state law;
(4) provide technical assistance to member schools regarding athletic participation;
(5) recognize and sanction sport programs;
(6) create regions for schools' participation based on geographic and student population factors;
(7) establish a multiplier system for the purpose of classification that takes into account a school's geographic
location, student population, and performance in each sport in which it participates;
(8) establish a playoff system and championship in each sport for participating schools;
(9) establish a range of sanctions that may be applied to a student, coach, team, or program and that takes into
account factors such as the seriousness, frequency, and other relevant factors when there is a violation of the
constitution, bylaws, rules, or other governing provisions of the association;
(10) create a process and qualifications for home school students to participate on a member school's team
without being subject to a waiting period;
(11) create a process and qualifications for a student attending a non-member private or public school to
participate on a member school's team;
(12) establish a fee schedule for participating schools, which the association shall use in order to operate;
(13) complete an annual accountability report pursuant to Section 1-1-820 and identify key program area
descriptions and expenditures and link these to key financial and performance results measures, and provide this
report to the General Assembly to post on its internet website; and
(14) enter into contracts subject to Chapter 35, Title 11.

Section 59-9-150. (A) Notwithstanding the duty to recognize and sanction sport programs listed in Section 59-
9-140(5), the association shall allow existing private and independent schools that are members of the South
Carolina High School league to join and participate in the same manner as public schools. The association shall
establish rules and policies for accepting other private and independent schools into full membership.
(B) The association shall guarantee that an athletic team of a South Carolina home school that is a member of
a home school athletic association may not be denied access to preseason and regular season interscholastic
athletics including, but not limited to, jamborees and invitational tournaments, based solely on its status as a home
school athletic team; provided other rules or policies of the association, body, or entity would apply to the team.

Section 59-9-160. Notwithstanding any athlete transfer rules and policies adopted by the association, students
who attend a school outside of their attendance zone may immediately participate in interscholastic competitions
if they are otherwise academically eligible and the following conditions are met:
(1) for students enrolled in middle school, the association shall allow a one-time transfer after eligibility is
established in the seventh grade; and
(2) for students enrolled in high school, the association shall allow a one-time transfer after eligibility is
established in the ninth grade.

Section 59-9-170. The board of directors shall employ a director and other staff as necessary to carry out the
duties and responsibilities assigned by the board. The board shall submit to the Agency Head Salary Commission,
pursuant to Sections 8-11-160 and 8-11-165, justification of and recommendations for the salary and any salary
increases for the director of the association.

Section 59-9-180. (A) The association shall establish a process in which appeals of the association, body, or
entity are made to a disinterested third-body appellate panel which consists of seven members who serve four
year terms, with one person appointed by the delegation of each congressional district.
(B)(1) A member of the panel serves until his successor is appointed and qualifies. A vacancy on the panel is
filled in the manner of the original appointment.
(2) Members of the appellate panel do not concurrently serve as officers of the association, body, or entity
and may not have served as a member of the executive committee within the last three years. Principals and
superintendents are able to appeal a ruling of the association, body, or entity to the panel. The appellate panel also
must provide the final ruling in any appeal brought against a decision of the association, body, or entity.
(C) The association shall establish and ensure a procedure for emergency appeals to be held and decided upon
in an expedited manner if the normal appellate process would prohibit the participation of a student, team,
program, or school in an athletic event, to include practices.

Section 59-9-190. Public schools, including charter schools, may not join or affiliate with any other entity
within the State for the purpose of governing, sanctioning, or operating interscholastic athletic programs.

Section 59-9-200. (A) The association must be considered a state agency for the purposes of Chapter 15, Title
2 and subject to audits by the Legislative Audit Council.
(B) The association must be considered an agency for the purposes of Chapter 2, Title 2 and subject to oversight
by the House of Representatives and Senate.
(C) The association, its board of directors, and employees are subject to:
(1) the applicable provisions of the Ethics, Government Accountability, and Campaign Reform Act of 1991,
as amended, found in Article 7, Chapter 13, Title 8; and
(2) the general provisions applicable to public officers and employees found in Chapter 1, Title 8.
(D) Beginning December 1, 2025 and every year thereafter, the association shall provide a report to the
respective chairs of the House Education and Public Works Committee and Senate Education Committee
containing, but not limited to, the following:
(1) the results of an annual audit of the association's finances;
(2) the number of schools and student athletes who participated in association activities, which must be listed
by classification and whether the school is a charter school, traditional public school, or independent school;
(3) the number and types of sanctions imposed on any teams; and
(4) a summary of any changes to the rules, constitution, or bylaws of the association.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

H.4163 was introduced on Thursday and referred to the House Education and Public Works Committee.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: The impetus for this bill is to put HSL out of business.

It would establish the SC High School Athletic Association, a quasi-state agency whose Board of 11
Directors (These board members could not be current legislators).

The new Board members would be appointed by State Superintendent of Education (who would also be
the Chairman), Speaker of the House, Chair of House Education & Public Works Committee, House
Majority Leader, House Minority Leader, Senate President, Chair of Senate Education, Senate Majority
Leader, Senate Minority Leader, and one appointee from the Governor who SCASA must recommend.
It would direct the Board to create rules, bylaws, and code of conduct for the association; rules for
participation in athletic events; compliance requirements; recognize and sanction sport programs; create
regions for participation; establish the playoff system; qualifications for homeschoolers; create a process
for non-member schools; and to establish a fee schedule for participating schools – which will be used
for operation of the Association.

THERE ARE 3 WAYS THAT THE BILL CAN BE FAST-TRACKED.

1. State Budget Proviso: The House is in the process of budget deliberations THIS WEEK. This could be
a proviso added to the budget. They have addressed the germaneness issue by putting it under the
jurisdiction of several state-funded entities that have line-item appropriations in the budget to which a
proviso could be tied.
a. TIMEFRAME: THIS WEEK IN THE HOUSE

2. S.62: The language could be added to the compromise amendment for S.62.
a. TIMEFRAME: IMMEDIATE. The House amendment was sent back to the Senate last
Thursday, and rather than non-concurring with the House amendment and throwing the bill into a
conference committee, the leadership has decided to work on a compromise amendment that can
be added for both bodies to agree.

3. Committee Process:
a. The Chairman could fast-track it through the committee in one week; or
b. The bill could be recalled from the committee and placed directly on the House calendar for
consideration.
c. TIMEFRAME: IMMEDIATE, as it could happen as early as next week.

ACTION ITEMS The High School League (Executive Committee, Appeals Committee, and General
Membership) must contact their legislators IMMEDIATELY

MESSAGE: PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETICS SHOULD BE GOVERNED BY PARTICIPATING
SCHOOLS, NOT APPOINTEES.

1. The High School League SCHSL, formed in 1913, is the nationally recognized governing body of
high school athletics in the State, with over 400 middle and high schools as members.
2. The League’s Constitution and bylaws are reviewed and addressed each year by a legislative
assembly made up of 33 delegates representing each member high school through their regions. The
League is governed by a 17-member executive committee with representation from the State
Department of Education, School Boards Association, School Superintendents Association,
Principals Association, Athletic Administrators Association, Coaches Association, Classifications
Representatives, Private and Charter Schools, Officials Association, and at large members.
3. Ask Legislators what SCHSL can do to address their concerns under the current League structure.

The bill sponsors include:
Reps. Shannon Erickson, R, Beaufort – Chairman of House Education and Public Works Committee (teacher,
businessman, school director)
Rep. Phillip Bowers, R. Pickens (Six Mile) – Freshman House member who serves on House Education & Public Works
Committee (businessman, real estate investment & leasing, construction management)
Rep. Jeff Bradley, R, Beaufort (HHI) - Chairman of the House Regulations Admin Procedures, AI & Cybersecurity
Committee. (financial advisor)
Rep. Heather Ammons Crawford, R Horry (Socastee) – serves on House Ways and Means Committee (attorney)
Rep. Sylleste Davis, R, Berkeley (Moncks Corner) – Chairman of the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal
Affairs Committee. (Ret. Elec Util Manager, IT Professional)
Rep. Fawn Pedalino, R, Clarendon (Manning) – Freshman member who serves on House Labor, Commerce, and
Industry Committee. (Southeastern Technology; Realtor)
Rep. Tom Hartnett, R, Charleston (Mt Pleasant) – Serves on House Education and Public Works Committee (Realtor)
Rep. Mike Neese, R, Lancaster (Indian Land) – Freshman member who serves on the House Agriculture, Natural
Resources, and Environmental Affairs Committee. (Indian Land Chamber of Commerce Pres)
Rep. Mark Smith, R, Berkeley (Daniel Island) – Serves on House Labor Commerce and Industry Committee. (Funeral
Home Owner)
Rep. Melissa Oremus, R, Aiken – Serves on House Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee
Rep. Brian Lawson, R. Cherokee, Spartanburg (Chesnee) – Freshman member who serves on House Labor, Commerce,
and Industry Committee
Rep. David Vaughan, R. Greenville (Simpsonville) – Freshman member who serves on House Education and Public
Works Committee (Contractor)
Rep. Cody Mitchell, R. Darlington, Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster (Hartsville) Serves on House Judiciary Committee
(law partner of Former House Speaker Jay Lucas)
Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R. Beaufort (Bluffton) – Chairman of House Labor, Commerce, and Industry Committee. (Eco-
Developer, Redeveloper)
Rep. Bobby Cox, R, Greenville (Greer) – Serves on House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee.
(Businessman, Military Officer)
Rep. Brandon Newton, R. Lancaster, Kershaw (Lancaster) – Serves on House Ways and Means Committee. (USC-L
Staff)
Rep. Neal Collins, R. Greenville, Pickens (Easley) – Member of House Ways and Means Committee. (Attorney)
Rep. Brandon Cox, R, Berkeley (Goose Creek) – Member of House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs
Committee. (Ret Pres/CEO Threat Management Co)
Rep. Cal Forrest, R. Saluda, Lexington (Monetta) – Serves on House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental
Affairs Committee. (Business owner)
Rep. Gary Brewer, R. Charleston, Dorchester (Charleston) – Serves on House Labor, Commerce, and Industry
Committee. (Construction)
Rep. Tim McGinnis, R, Horry (Myrtle Beach) – Serves on House Education and Public Works Committee – he is Higher
Education Subcommittee chairman. (Businessman, former TV news anchor)
Rep. Mike Burns, R, Greenville (Tigerville) – Serves on House Agriculture, Natural Resource, and Environmental Affairs
Committee.(Businessman)
Rep. Gil Gatch, R. Charleston, Dorchester (Summerville) – Serves on House Labor, Commerce, and Industry
Committee.(Attorney)
Rep. Patrick Haddon, R, Greenville – Chairman of House Operations & Management Committee and Vice Chair of House
Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs Committee.
Rep. Bill Hager, R. Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper (Hampton) – Member House Labor, Commerce, and Industry
Committee (Retired Engineer)
Rep. Bill Hixon, R. Aiken, Edgefield (Edgefield) – Chairman of House Agriculture, Natural Resources, and
Environmental Affairs Committee (Real Estate)
Rep. Chris Murphy, R., Dorchester (N Charleston) – Member of House Ways and Means Committee, former Chairman of
House Judiciary Committee (Attorney)
Rep. Bill Taylor, R. Aiken, Lexington (Aiken) – Member of House Ways and Means Committee (Ret. Media Consultant)
Rep. Bill Whitmire, R. Oconee, Pickens (Walhalla) – 2nd Vice Chairman of House Ways and Means Committee, and
Education Subcommittee Chairman. (Ret Educator/Owner of S&W Farms)
Rep. Mark Willis, R. Greenville, Laurens (Fountain Inn) – Member of House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman
of Interstate Cooperation Committee. (Long-Term Care Administrator)

I have reachout out to a local representative to try to understand the motivation of this. Just seems like lawmakers have more important things to worry about.