OLYMPIA – They are the ones who make the tough calls in games and matches, and we don’t always agree with them. But without these amateur sports officials, our basketball tournaments, soccer matches, and Little League games wouldn’t go quite as smoothly.
That’s why today’s signing of House Bill 1636 is so important. It removes the uncertainty around whether the small, nonprofit associations that refer amateur sports officials to school and community events are considered “employers” for unemployment insurance purposes. The new law makes clear they are not.
State Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines), who works part-time as a youth basketball referee when his legislative duties permit, sponsored the measure when he discovered the confusion existed.
“This bill will help keep amateur sports affordable for kids and families,” Upthegrove said. “Without it, the added cost of unemployment insurance would likely be passed along to the schools and community centers that contract with these nonprofit associations, which in turn would be passed along to those who sign up to play sports.”
The associations help amateur sports officials by providing centralized scheduling, billing, and referral services. They also give those want to work in the field the tools they need to be successful.
Tim Gately, president of the Pacific Northwest Basketball Officials Association, thanked Rep. Upthegrove and state Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles, who helped shepherd the bill through the Senate after it passed the House unanimously in February. It also passed the Senate unanimously.
“Amateur sports officials from across the state worked hard to make this grassroots effort successful,” Gately said. “PNBOA was proud to lead this effort, and many organizations and individuals collaborated with us. We are also thankful to the Governor for her support in signing the bill.”
Gately was one of several sports officials who attended today’s bill signing.
“Kids who are involved in sports not only learn about teamwork, they tend to do better in academics as well,” Upthegrove said. “I’m glad the state took action today for the kids and for these associations.”
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Click here to watch a video clip of today’s bill signing of HB 1636 (link goes to YouTube).
Click here to watch Rep. Upthegrove’s floor speech in support of HB 1636 on House passage (link goes to YouTube).