MONTANA OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION - MOA - ArbiterSports

8. Officials utilizing lodging accommodations provided by the tournament manager may be
provided a single room when feasible and at the discretion of the tournament manager.
9. All MOA exams must be completed within a three (3) hour time limit
10. Officials Payment: The MHSA recognizes that officials are independent contractors;
therefore, methods of paying established fees/expenses will be determined by agreement
between the school which has contracted for the official services and the local officials’ pool,
or approved non-pool affiliated official. However, the MHSA requires that one of the two
following methods be utilized:
1. All assigned officials must be paid before the contest with a check issued by the member
school. MOA officials should not accept checks written to other member officials. A
member school seven (7) business days from the date of the contest to reissue
appropriate checks to the official(s) who actually worked the contest,
OR
2. If a member school and the local officials’ pool (or an approved non-pool affiliated official)
agree to other methods of payment for established fees/expenses, and the method of
payment is approved by the Regional Director, the official will be paid within seven (7)
business days of the contest. Officials’ pools cannot receive payments from the schools
to distribute to individual members as this practice would make the officials’ pool the
employer, nullifying the independent contract status and subjecting the pool to
unemployment and workers’ compensation requirements. Any changes in the payment
process must be approved by the MOA Commissioner.
VI.
Reminder of General MOA Information – NFHS Rules:
1. Under Coaching Staff on page 55, add to #7— Respect the official’s judgment and
interpretation of the rules. Question them with respect and dignity only when the game rules
permit. After a contest, questions concerning an official’s call, mechanics, or procedural
duties should be addressed through the respective official’s pool leader, the MOA Regional
Director or the MOA office. A report form for unusual situations is located on the MHSA
website.
2. Under Athletic Director on page 58 — add to # 7 — Make sure that the officials and their
dressing area are taken care of in the proper manner. Questions concerning an official’s call,
mechanics, or procedural duties should be addressed through the respective official’s pool
leader, the MOA Regional Director or the MOA office. A report form for unusual situations is
located on the MHSA website.
3. Under XVII, MOA Code of Ethics on page 303 — add to letter L — I will not approach
coaches or athletic directors, personally or by mail, relative to assignments or ratings or in
regard to game calls, mechanics or procedural duties. Those questions should be initially
addressed through the pool leader, MOA Regional Director or the MOA office.
4. All basketball officials are required to sign their name in the scorebook before the start of
each contest. The referee must make sure the officials names are in the scorebook.
5. The MHSA Board approved the policy regarding lighting for player introductions and other
related matters. MHSA Allowable Procedures for varied and/or dimmed lighting during
contest introductions:
Regular Season