SB 496 – This act allows the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, at the discretion of the State Board of Education, to provide oversight and administration for all public schools that choose to participate in extracurricular competitive activities, beginning in the 2010-2011 school year. Private schools may choose to have the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provide oversight and administration as well. The Department may charge a fee and participate in a licensing arrangement to generate revenue for the cost of administration. No public school can participate in an association that regulates extracurricular competitive activities unless the association submits its proposed rules and regulations to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. This act is substantially similar to HB 1232 (2007). MICHAEL RUFF