Bill > HB0449

This bill creates comprehensive provisions for compensating student athletes for the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) in Utah's higher education institutions. The legislation allows institutions to directly compensate student athletes for NIL usage, with specific restrictions: institutions cannot use state-appropriated funds or student fees for such compensation. The bill establishes clear definitions for key terms like "student athlete," "athlete agent," and "student athlete agreement," and prohibits compensation agreements that involve endorsements of tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances, gambling, sexually oriented businesses, or illegal firearms. Importantly, the bill protects student athletes by ensuring they cannot be prevented from participating in intercollegiate athletics or having institutional membership revoked due to NIL compensation or obtaining professional representation. The legislation also mandates that the state's board of higher education conduct audits every five years beginning in fiscal year 2028 to evaluate how institutions implement and use student athlete NIL payments, with results to be reported to legislative committees. Additionally, the bill clarifies that student athletes are not considered employees of their institutions through athletic program participation or NIL compensation. The bill is set to take effect on May 7, 2025, providing institutions time to prepare for implementation.

Education

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0449.html