Those staff members of the UIL who are authorized by the Director may issue written staff interpretations of general applicability that constitute binding actions of the UIL so long as the conditions set out below have been fulfilled in advance. If but only if a person requests a staff interpretation in writing, and accompanies the request with an application for an Official Interpretation by the State Executive Committee, then the staff member may issue a written statement of general applicability that implements, interprets, or prescribes UIL policy or procedure or practice requirements. This statement shall be referred to as a staff interpretation. The statement issued to the applicant may be relied upon until the State Executive Committee issues its order on the application. No oral requests for staff interpretation will be accepted.
Persons relying upon oral or written opinions do so at their own risk.
Generally, the rules of the UIL shall be broadly construed to give reasonable effect to the intentions, purposes, and objectives of the League. However, rules involving eligibility, rules involving violations, and rules involving penalties shall be strictly construed. Where any term or section of the Contest Rules is found to be inconsistent with the Constitution, the Constitution shall prevail and apply and the remaining terms and sections of the Contest Rules shall continue in effect. Where any term or section of the Constitution and Contest Rules is found to be inconsistent with the laws of the State of Texas, the laws shall prevail and the remaining terms and sections of the Constitution and Contest Rules shall continue in effect. The titles appearing throughout the Constitution and Contest Rules are for descriptive purposes only.