Bill > HB1917

This bill amends the Arkansas Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act and athletic program funding regulations to provide more comprehensive protections and opportunities for student-athletes. The bill expands the rights of student-athletes to enter into contracts and receive compensation for the commercial use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL), allowing institutions of higher education to identify, create, and facilitate such opportunities. It clarifies that institutions can compensate students for NIL rights and enter into licensing agreements. The bill also provides tax exemptions for income received by student-athletes from NIL agreements and ensures that such personal and financial information remains confidential. Additionally, the legislation increases the limit on unrestricted educational and general funds that can be budgeted for intercollegiate athletic programs from 2% to 4% of the previous fiscal year's revenues. The bill explicitly states that student-athletes are not employees of their institutions and protects institutions from liability related to NIL agreements and athletic program decisions. Importantly, the bill maintains that no release or license is required from participants or spectators for broadcasting sports events, and it provides institutions with broad protections against potential legal challenges related to NIL rights and athletic program management.

Business and Industry

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1917&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R