Bill > HB3165

This bill creates the Streaming Rights and Equality Act to regulate high school sports streaming fees in West Virginia. The bill defines a "West Virginia based producer" as a business licensed in the state, paying state corporate taxes, and primarily streaming within the state. It establishes standardized streaming fee caps for different types of high school sports events: football streaming is capped at $250 per game, other sports at $100 per game, and larger events like wrestling and volleyball at $250 per event. The bill mandates that streaming fees can only increase by up to 5% annually and requires that no school can deny a West Virginia-based producer the right to stream an event if they pay the appropriate fee. The legislation also addresses West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) championship events, ensuring local producers can access these events. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for production standards, such as requiring camera operators to cut away from inappropriate incidents, and imposes penalties for non-compliance, including reimbursement of double the production fee for violations. The underlying purpose is to ensure fair and equal access to high school sports streaming across the state, recognizing that these schools are publicly funded and their events should be accessible to the public.

Education

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=3165&year=2025&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill