Senate amendment to the 1st edition adds the following content.

Amends GS 115C-407.55 by amending the appeals rules that the State Board of Education must adopt governing high school interscholastic athletic activities conducted by public school units, to also require that the rule provide for a process to appeal the independent appeals board's decision on application of eligibility rules to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, who must make a final decision in the appeal. Applies beginning with the 2024-25 school year. Requires the Board to adopt rules to implement this section consistent with Section 1.2 below.

Adds new Section 1.2 to the act, requiring, from January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, that the Superintendent of Public Instruction be allowed to make final decisions in any appeal of an eligibility rule determination made by the independent appeals board, beginning with final decisions of the board made on or after January 1, 2023, as follows: (1) appeals may be made to the Superintendent by any party affected by the ruling, including the student and their parent; (2) appeals must be in a form specified by the Superintendent and must state with specificity the grounds for requesting review; (3) the Superintendent must accept appeals for review in his/her discretion; (4) the Superintendent must review the record in each appeal, and may allow the parties to the appeal the opportunity to present additional evidence; and (5) the Superintendent's decision is the final decision on that appeal. Applies to final decisions made by the independent appeals board between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

Makes conforming changes to the act and to the act's long title.