SB2929

Regular Session

Relating to the removal of a spectator of certain school extracurricular athletic activities or competitions.

ModeratePlan for compliance

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

School Districts • University Interscholastic League (UIL) • Athletic Officials (Referees/Judges)

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025.
Compliance Deadline: August 1, 2025 (Protocols must be active prior to the start of Fall sports/scrimmages).
Agency Rulemaking: The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is expected to update Section 1208 of the *Constitution & Contest Rules* regarding spectator conduct during the Summer 2025 legislative review cycle.

Immediate Action Plan

Immediately: Draft updated "Zero Tolerance" language for the 2025-2026 Student/Parent Extracurricular Handbooks and season ticket packages.
By June 1, 2025: Audit current security vendor contracts to ensure they align with immediate ejection authority.
By August 1, 2025: Conduct pre-season coordination meetings with local officiating chapters (TASO) and security leads to agree on the "ejection signal."
By August 15, 2025: Update public address announcer scripts to include the new statutory warning regarding immediate removal.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Security Vendor MSAs: Amend Master Service Agreements with security firms. Remove any "escalation ladder" requirements (e.g., warn, then remove). Clauses must explicitly state that security personnel are authorized and required to execute immediate ejections upon an official's signal.
Ticketing & Entry Terms: Revise the "Terms of Entry" on physical tickets and digital platforms (e.g., Ticket Spicket, GoFan). Language must explicitly waive the spectator's right to a prior warning and acknowledge that entry is a revocable license subject to immediate termination.

Hiring/Training

Protocol Training: Security staff and venue managers require training on "Direct Action" protocols. Establish a universal hand signal or communication code between game officials (referees) and security to identify spectators for removal without game delay.
De-escalation Training: Because the "cooling off" period of a warning is removed, the risk of immediate physical confrontation increases. Security teams must be retrained on handling aggressive, immediate removals.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Incident Logs: Update incident report forms to replace "Warning Issued Time" fields with "Behavior Triggering Immediate Ejection."
Evidence Retention: Mandate a 90-day retention policy for body-camera footage or CCTV regarding ejections to defend against potential claims of arbitrary or discriminatory enforcement, as the procedural safeguard of a warning no longer exists.

Fees & Costs

Insurance Review: No direct fee increases. However, consult your liability carrier regarding "Assault and Battery" or "Use of Force" exclusions, as immediate ejections may increase physical altercations.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

The statute removes the procedural requirement (the warning) but leaves the substantive trigger—"Inappropriate Behavior"—undefined.

Regulatory Gray Zone: Until the UIL or the Commissioner of Education provides specific guidance, "inappropriate behavior" remains a subjective standard determined by the game official.
Risk: Without clear definitions, venues face liability for inconsistent enforcement. Do not wait for the state; define specific ejectable offenses (e.g., profanity, throwing objects, entering the playing area) in your local venue policies to support your security teams.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsEducation Education--primary & Secondary Education--primary & Secondary--discipline Education--primary & Secondary--extracurricular Activities

Official Analysis

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BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2929
	By: Creighton
	Education K-16
	4/14/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 2929 ensures referees are respected and that parents and other spectators understand there are clear boundaries to their behavior. S.B. 2929 supports local authority at school-sponsored events�namely the on-site referees and officials�by allowing them to maintain order and safety without procedural hurdles.

As proposed, S.B. 2929 amends current law relating to the removal of a spectator of certain school extracurricular athletic activities or competitions.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 37.105, Education Code, by adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:

(a-1) Provides that a verbal warning and persisting in inappropriate behavior are not required under Subsections (a)(2)(A) (relating to a certain official issuing a verbal warning to a person who behaves in a manner that is inappropriate for a school setting) and (B) (relating to a person who persists in behavior in a manner that is inappropriate for a school setting) for a person serving as a referee, judge, or other official of an extracurricular athletic activity or competition sponsored or sanctioned by the school district or the University Interscholastic League to eject a spectator from the extracurricular athletic activity or competition.

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2025�2026 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Charles CreightonRepublican · Primary Author

Coauthors (1)

Tan Parker (R)

House Sponsors

Rep. AJ LouderbackRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Joint Sponsors

Terri Leo-Wilson (R)

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 2929

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to the removal of a spectator of certain school
	extracurricular athletic activities or competitions.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 37.105, Education Code, is amended by
	adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
	(a-1) A verbal warning and persisting in inappropriate
	behavior are not required under Subsections (a)(2)(A) and (B) for a
	person serving as a referee, judge, or other official of an
	extracurricular athletic activity or competition sponsored or
	sanctioned by the school district or the University Interscholastic
	League to eject a spectator from the extracurricular athletic
	activity or competition.
	SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
	school year.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 14, 2025

TO:	Honorable Brandon Creighton, Chair, Senate Committee on Education K-16

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB2929 by Creighton (Relating to the removal of a spectator of certain school extracurricular athletic activities or competitions.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

701 Texas Education Agency

LBB Staff:

JMc, NC, SL

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB2929

What does Texas SB2929 do?

SB 2929 eliminates the statutory requirement for officials to issue a verbal warning prior to ejecting spectators from school-sponsored and UIL-sanctioned athletic events, effectively instituting a "Zero Tolerance" standard. This legislation impacts independent school districts, private venue operators, and security vendors, requiring an immediate overhaul of ejection protocols and spectator codes of conduct for the 2025-2026 school year. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025.

Who authored SB2929?

SB2929 was authored by Texas Senator Charles Creighton during the Regular Session.

When was SB2929 signed into law?

SB2929 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 27, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB2929?

SB2929 is enforced by School Districts, University Interscholastic League (UIL) and Athletic Officials (Referees/Judges).

How urgent is compliance with SB2929?

The compliance urgency for SB2929 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB2929?

The cost impact of SB2929 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB2929 address?

SB2929 addresses topics including education, education--primary & secondary, education--primary & secondary--discipline and education--primary & secondary--extracurricular activities.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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