HOUSTON, Texas -- The 2015 USATF Annual Meeting came to a close Sunday with membership approving bylaw changes put forward by the Law & Legislation Committee in addition to site selections announcements, committee reports and rule reports.

2016 Site Selections, pending contracts

Masters Long Distance Running

Feb. 28 - Masters 8 km Championships (Brea, California)

Apr. 24 - Masters 10 km (Dedham, Massachusetts)

Aug. 26 - Masters 1 Mile Championships (Flint, Michigan)

Oct. 2 - Masters 5 km Championships (Syracuse, New York)

Race Walk

Feb. 20 - 1 Mile Championships (New York City - Millrose Games)

Feb. 21 - 50 km Championships (Santee, California)

May 15 - 10 km Championships for Elites, Masters and Juniors (Riverside, California)

June 7 - 10 km Championships (St. Louis, Missouri)

Oct. 3 - 1 Hour Championships for Elites, Masters and Juniors (Lutheran College, Wisconsin)

Dec. 27 - 5,000m Indoor Championships for Elites, Masters and Juniors (Rochester, New York)

Youth

July 24-30 - National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships (Lawrence, Kansas)

Rules Committee

The Rules Committee had 83 proposals total with 54 approved. Of the proposals, 15 were approved with amendments, while 11 proposals were rejected. Two were withdrawn and two were tabled. The report was approved.

Law & Legislation Committee

Membership approved bylaw changes put forward by the Law & Legislation Committee, including:

• The President shall serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors, beginning in 2019. The board may remove the president as chair by a two-thirds vote for good cause; any removal action is subject to arbitration before the Court of Arbitration For Sport

• The High Performance Division, Long Distance Running Division, General Competition Division, Youth Athletics Division, Officials Committee and Coaches Advisory Committee shall directly elect the board members representing their respective groups; there will be no prohibition against a board member serving on a USATF committee

• Established minimum qualifications for board members, including Safe Sport and background screens

• USATF membership shall elect USATF’s candidates for positions on the IAAF Council; respective USATF Committees and Divisions shall elect USATF’s candidates for IAAF Committees

In addition, the Athletes Advisory Committee approved changes to the Statement of Conditions that better define and clarify the requirements for where and when Team USA gear must be worn by athletes at International Competitions.

The 2016 Annual Meeting will be held in Orlando, Florida.