Bill > S2469

This bill establishes collective bargaining rights for college athletes by amending the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), fundamentally changing how collegiate athletes are viewed under labor law. The bill defines college athletes as employees if they receive direct compensation (like scholarships) and are required to participate in intercollegiate sports, allowing them to form labor organizations and negotiate with their institutions and athletic conferences. The legislation enables college athletes to create bargaining units across multiple institutions within the same athletic conference, giving them the ability to collectively negotiate terms related to compensation, working conditions, and other employment matters. The bill explicitly seeks to address what it characterizes as exploitative practices by the NCAA and member institutions, which have historically defined athletes as "amateurs" while maintaining strict control over their labor and compensation. Importantly, the bill includes provisions ensuring that this new employee status will not impact the tax treatment of scholarships or financial aid eligibility. The legislation applies to both private and public institutions of higher education and is justified by Congress's constitutional power to regulate interstate commerce, noting that intercollegiate sports generate over $15 billion annually. The bill also includes a severability clause, meaning that if any part of the law is found unconstitutional, the rest of the law can remain in effect.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2469/all-info