H.R. 4312

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4312 Reported in House (RH)]

<DOC>

Union Calendar No. 226
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4312

[Report No. 119-270, Parts I and II]

To protect the name, image, and likeness rights of student athletes and 
to promote fair competition with respect to intercollegiate athletics, 
and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 10, 2025

Mr. Bilirakis (for himself, Ms. Bynum, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Walberg, Mr. 
Jordan, Mr. Figures, Mrs. McClain, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Fry) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
jurisdiction of the committee concerned

September 11, 2025

Additional sponsors: Mr. Williams of Texas, Mr. Westerman, Mr. Flood, 
Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Mr. Gooden, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. 
Carter of Georgia, Mr. Haridopolos, Mr. Cline, Mr. Barr, Mr. Grothman 
and Ms. Plaskett

September 11, 2025

Deleted sponsor: Mr. Moskowitz (added September 10, 2025; deleted 
September 11, 2025)

September 11, 2025

Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
in italic]

September 11, 2025

Reported from the Committee on Education and Workforce with an 
amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 
of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
in boldface roman]
[For the text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on 
July 10, 2025]

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To protect the name, image, and likeness rights of student athletes and 
to promote fair competition with respect to intercollegiate athletics, 
and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Student Compensation and Opportunity 
through Rights and Endorsements Act'' or the ``SCORE Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Agent.--The term ``agent'' means an individual who 
receives compensation to represent a student athlete with 
respect to--
(A) a name, image, and likeness agreement; or
(B) another agreement for compensation related to 
the participation of such student athlete on a varsity 
sports team.
(2) Antitrust laws.--The term ``antitrust laws'' has the 
meaning given such term in the 1st section of the Clayton Act 
(15 U.S.C. 12) and includes section 5 of the Federal Trade 
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such section 5 
applies to unfair methods of competition.
(3) Associated entity or individual.--The term ``associated 
entity or individual'' means, with respect to an institution, 
each of the following:
(A) An entity that is known or should be known to 
the employees of the athletic department of such 
institution to exist, in significant part, for the 
purpose of--
(i) promoting or supporting the varsity 
sports teams or student athletes of such 
institution; or
(ii) creating or identifying opportunities 
relating to name, image, and likeness 
agreements solely for the student athletes of 
such institution.
(B) An individual who is or has been a member, 
employee, director, officer, owner, or other 
representative of an entity described in subparagraph 
(A).
(C) An individual who directly or indirectly 
(including through contributions by an entity 
affiliated with such individual or an immediate family 
member of such individual) has contributed more than 
$50,000 (as adjusted on July 1 each year by the 
percentage increase (if any), during the preceding 12-
month period, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 
Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) 
over the lifetime of the individual to the athletic 
programs of such institution or to an entity described 
in subparagraph (A).
(D) An individual or entity who--
(i) is directed or requested by the 
employees of the athletic department of such 
institution to assist in the recruitment or 
retention of prospective student athletes or 
student athletes, respectively; or
(ii) otherwise assists in such recruitment 
or retention.
(E) Any entity (other than a publicly traded 
corporation) owned, controlled, operated by, or 
otherwise affiliated with an individual or entity 
described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D).
(4) College sports revenue.--The term ``college sports 
revenue'' means any revenue (without regard to ownership or 
legal title to such revenue) received by an institution with 
respect to intercollegiate athletics--
(A) from the sale of admission to intercollegiate 
athletic competitions or any other event involving a 
varsity sports team, including actual monetary revenue 
received by or for the benefit of such institution for 
a suite license (unless such suite license is 
associated with philanthropy or any purpose not related 
to intercollegiate athletic competitions, including a 
concert);
(B) from participation by the varsity sports teams 
of such institution in intercollegiate athletic 
competitions held at other institutions, including 
payments received due to cancellations of such 
intercollegiate athletic competitions;
(C) for radio, television, internet, digital, and 
e-commerce rights, including revenue relating to media 
rights distributed by a conference to members of the 
conference, if applicable;
(D) from an interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association, including any grant, distribution of 
revenue, reimbursement relating to travel with respect 
to a championship of such interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association, and payment for hosting such a 
championship;
(E) generated by a post-season football bowl, 
including any distribution of revenue by a conference 
to members of the conference and any other payment 
related to the participation of such institution in 
such post-season football bowl, including for ticket 
sales and reimbursement of expenses;
(F) from a conference, other than any revenue 
otherwise described in this paragraph;
(G) for sponsorships, licensing agreements, 
advertisements, royalties, and in-kind products and 
services as part of a sponsorship agreement; or
(H) relating to any additional form of revenue, 
including fundraising, an interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association uses with respect to the pool 
limit of such interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association.
(5) Compensation.--The term ``compensation''--
(A) means, with respect to a student athlete or a 
prospective student athlete, any form of payment or 
remuneration, whether provided through cash, benefits, 
awards, or any other means, including payments for--
(i) licenses relating to, or the use of, 
name, image, and likeness rights; or
(ii) licenses relating to, or the use of, 
any other Federal or State intellectual or 
intangible property right; and
(B) does not include--
(i) grants-in-aid;
(ii) Federal Pell Grants and other Federal 
or State grants unrelated to and not awarded 
with regard to participation in intercollegiate 
athletics;
(iii) health insurance and payments for the 
costs of health care, including health 
insurance and payments for the costs of health 
care wholly or partly self-funded by an 
institution, conference, or interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association;
(iv) disability and loss-of-value 
insurance, including disability and loss-of-
value insurance that is wholly or partly self-
funded by an institution, conference, or 
interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association;
(v) career counseling, job placement 
services, and other guidance available to all 
students at an institution;
(vi) payment of hourly wages and benefits 
for work actually performed (and not for 
participation in intercollegiate athletics) at 
a rate commensurate with the going rate in the 
locality of an institution for similar work;
(vii) academic awards paid to student 
athletes by institutions;
(viii) provision of financial literacy or 
tax education resources and guidance; or
(ix) any program to connect student 
athletes with employers and facilitate 
employment opportunities, if--
(I) the financial terms of such 
employment opportunities are consistent 
with the terms offered to similarly 
situated employees who are not student 
athletes; and
(II) such program is not used to 
induce a student athlete to attend a 
particular institution.
(6) Conference.--The term ``conference'' means an entity 
that--
(A) has as members 2 or more institutions;
(B) arranges regular season intercollegiate 
athletic competitions and championships for such 
members; and
(C) sets rules with respect to such intercollegiate 
athletic competitions and championships.
(7) Cost of attendance.--The term ``cost of attendance'' 
has the meaning given such term in section 472 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll).
(8) Grant-in-aid.--The term ``grant-in-aid'' means a 
scholarship, grant, stipend, or other form of financial 
assistance, including the provision of tuition, room, board, 
books, or funds for fees or personal expenses, that--
(A) is paid or provided by an institution to a 
student for the undergraduate or graduate course of 
study of the student; and
(B) is in an amount that does not exceed the cost 
of attendance at the institution for such student.
(9) Image.--The term ``image'' means, with respect to a 
student athlete, a picture or a video that identifies, is 
linked to, or is reasonably linkable to such student athlete.
(10) Institution.--The term ``institution'' has the meaning 
given the term ``institution of higher education'' in section 
102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
(11) Intercollegiate athletic competition.--The term 
``intercollegiate athletic competition'' means any contest, 
game, meet, match, tournament, regatta, or other event in which 
varsity sports teams of more than 1 institution compete.
(12) Intercollegiate athletics.--The term ``intercollegiate 
athletics''--
(A) means the varsity sports teams for which the 
length of time a student athlete is eligible to 
participate and the academic standards for 
participation are established by a conference or an 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association; and
(B) does not include any recreational, intramural, 
or club teams.
(13) Interstate intercollegiate athletic association.--The 
term ``interstate intercollegiate athletic association'' 
means--
(A) any entity that--
(i) sets common rules, standards, 
procedures, or guidelines for the 
administration and regulation of varsity sports 
teams and intercollegiate athletic 
competitions;
(ii) is composed of 2 or more institutions 
or conferences located in more than 1 State; 
and
(iii) has rules or bylaws prohibiting the 
provision of prohibited compensation to student 
athletes and prospective student athletes; and
(B) does not include any entity affiliated with 
professional athletic competitions.
(14) Likeness.--The term ``likeness'' means, with respect 
to a student athlete, a physical or digital depiction or 
representation that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably 
linkable to such student athlete.
(15) Name.--The term ``name'' means, with respect to a 
student athlete, the first, middle, or last name, or the 
nickname or former name, of such student athlete if used in a 
context that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably 
linkable to such student athlete.
(16) Name, image, and likeness agreement.--The term ``name, 
image, and likeness agreement'' means a contract or similar 
agreement under which a student athlete licenses or authorizes, 
or a contract or similar agreement that otherwise is in 
relation to, the commercial use of the name, image, or likeness 
of the student athlete.
(17) Name, image, and likeness rights.--The term ``name, 
image, and likeness rights'' means rights recognized under 
Federal or State law that allow an individual to control and 
profit from the commercial use of the name, image, and likeness 
of such individual, including all rights commonly referred to 
as ``publicity rights''.
(18) Pool limit.--The term ``pool limit'' means a dollar 
amount based on college sports revenue that--
(A) is calculated and published by an interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association pursuant to the 
rules the interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association establishes under section 6; and
(B) serves as the annual maximum amount that an 
institution that is a member of such interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association may provide, in 
total, to student athletes of such institution, 
including in the form of a name, image, and likeness 
agreement or direct payment.
(19) Prohibited compensation.--The term ``prohibited 
compensation'' means--
(A) compensation (including an agreement for 
compensation) to a student athlete from an associated 
entity or individual of the institution at which the 
student athlete is enrolled (or to a prospective 
student athlete from an associated entity or individual 
of an institution for which the prospective student 
athlete is being recruited) for any license or use of 
the name, image, and likeness rights of such student 
athlete or prospective student athlete (or any other 
license or use), unless the license or use is for a 
valid business purpose related to the promotion or 
endorsement of goods or services provided to the 
general public for profit, with compensation at rates 
and terms commensurate with compensation paid to 
individuals with name, image, and likeness rights of 
comparable value who are not student athletes or 
prospective student athletes with respect to such 
institution; and
(B) compensation to a student athlete (or a 
prospective student athlete) if such compensation is 
paid by or on behalf of the institution at which the 
student athlete is enrolled (or for which the 
prospective student athlete is being recruited) and 
results in the exceeding of the pool limit established 
by the interstate intercollegiate athletic association 
of which such institution is a member.
(20) Prospective student athlete.--The term ``prospective 
student athlete'' means an individual who is solicited to 
enroll at an institution by, or at the direction of, an 
employee or an associated entity or individual of the 
institution in order for such individual to participate in a 
varsity sports team of such institution.
(21) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of the 
United States, the District of Columbia, and each commonwealth, 
territory, or possession of the United States.
(22) Student athlete.--The term ``student athlete'' means 
an individual who--
(A) is enrolled or has agreed to enroll at an 
institution; and
(B) participates in a varsity sports team of such 
institution.
(23) Varsity sports team.--The term ``varsity sports team'' 
means an entity composed of an individual or group of 
individuals enrolled at an institution that is organized by 
such institution for the purpose of participation in 
intercollegiate athletic competitions.

SEC. 3. PROTECTION OF NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS RIGHTS OF STUDENT 
ATHLETES.

(a) Right To Enter Into Name, Image, and Likeness Agreements.--
(1) In general.--No institution, conference, or interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association may restrict the ability 
of a student athlete to enter into a name, image, and likeness 
agreement.
(2) Exceptions.--
(A) Prohibited compensation.--Paragraph (1) does 
not apply with respect to a name, image, and likeness 
agreement to the extent such agreement provides 
prohibited compensation.
(B) Codes of conduct and conflicting agreements.--
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an institution may 
restrict the ability of a student athlete of such 
institution (including a prospective student athlete 
who has agreed to attend such institution) to enter 
into a name, image, and likeness agreement that--
(i) violates the code of conduct of such 
institution; or
(ii) conflicts with the terms of a contract 
or similar agreement to which such institution 
is a party.
(b) Right to Representation.--Except as provided by this Act, no 
institution, conference, or interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association may restrict the ability of a student athlete to obtain an 
agent.
(c) Right to Privacy.--Except as provided by this Act, no 
institution, conference, or interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association may release information with respect to a name, image, and 
likeness agreement without the express written consent of any student 
athlete who is a party to such agreement.
(d) Right to Transparent Agreements.--A name, image, and likeness 
agreement under which a student athlete is provided compensation in an 
amount greater than $600 shall be considered void from the inception of 
such agreement if such agreement does not satisfy the following:
(1) The agreement is in writing.
(2) The agreement contains the following:
(A) A description of any services to be rendered 
under the agreement.
(B) The names of the parties to the agreement.
(C) The term of the agreement.
(D) The amount of compensation to be provided to 
the student athlete under the agreement.
(E) A provision specifying the circumstances or 
events under which the agreement may be terminated due 
to non-performance of obligations by the student 
athlete.
(F) A provision specifying that the student athlete 
may terminate the agreement, notwithstanding any other 
term described in the agreement, beginning on the date 
that is 6 months after the date on which the student 
athlete is no longer enrolled at any institution.
(G) The signature of the student athlete or, if the 
student athlete is under the age of 18 years, the 
signature of the parent or guardian of the student 
athlete.
(e) Actions by States.--In any case in which the attorney general 
of a State, or an official or agency of a State, has reason to believe 
that an interest of the residents of such State has been or is 
threatened or adversely affected by an act or practice in violation of 
this section, the State, as parens patriae, may bring a civil action on 
behalf of the residents of the State in an appropriate State court or 
an appropriate district court of the United States to--
(1) enjoin such act or practice;
(2) enforce compliance with this section;
(3) obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation on 
behalf of residents of the State; or
(4) obtain such other legal and equitable relief as the 
court may consider to be appropriate.

SEC. 4. SPORTS AGENT RESPONSIBILITY AND TRUST ACT.

The Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801 et 
seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 3(a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) charge a student athlete a fee with respect to an 
endorsement contract that is in an amount that is greater than 
5 percent of the amount of the compensation provided to such 
student athlete under such contract;
``(3) enter into an agency contract with a student athlete 
that does not include a provision specifying that the student 
athlete may terminate the agency contract, notwithstanding any 
other term described in the agency contract, beginning on the 
date that is 6 months after the date on which the student 
athlete is no longer enrolled at any institution (as defined in 
section 2 of the SCORE Act);'';
(2) in section 3(b)(3), by striking ``Warning to Student 
Athlete: If you agree orally or in writing to be represented by 
an agent now or in the future you may lose your eligibility to 
compete as a student athlete in your sport.'' and inserting 
``Notice to Student Athlete:''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 9. DISCLOSURE AND CONSENT RELATING TO NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS 
AGREEMENTS.

``(a) In General.--An athlete agent who assists a student athlete 
with an endorsement contract shall disclose in writing to the student 
athlete--
``(1) whether the athlete agent is registered with an 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association (as defined in 
section 2 of the SCORE Act); and
``(2) if the athlete agent is registered with an interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association, whether the athlete agent 
is registered with the interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association that has as a member the institution (as defined in 
section 2 of the SCORE Act) at which the student athlete is 
enrolled.
``(b) Consent.--In the case of an athlete agent who is not 
registered with an interstate intercollegiate athletic association, the 
athlete agent may only assist a student athlete with an endorsement 
contract if the student athlete (or, in the case of a student athlete 
who is under 18 years of age, the parent or guardian of the student 
athlete) provides to the athlete agent written consent for such 
assistance after receiving the disclosure under subsection (a).
``(c) Enforcement.--
``(1) In general.--If an attorney general of a State has 
reason to believe that an interest of the residents of that 
State has been or is threatened or adversely affected by the 
engagement of any athlete agent in a practice that violates 
this section, the attorney general may bring a civil action 
pursuant to section 5 in the same manner as the attorney 
general may bring a civil action with respect to a violation of 
section 3.
``(2) Sole authority.--No individual or entity other than 
an attorney general of a State may enforce this section.
``(3) No federal notice necessary.--Subsections (a)(2), 
(b), and (d) of section 5 do not apply to an action brought by 
an attorney general of a State pursuant to this subsection.''.

SEC. 5. REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.

(a) Requirements.--An institution described in subsection (c) 
shall--
(1) provide comprehensive academic support and career 
counseling services to student athletes that include life 
skills development programs with respect to--
(A) mental health, including alcohol and substance 
abuse;
(B) strength and conditioning;
(C) nutrition;
(D) name, image, and likeness rights, including 
related legal advice;
(E) financial literacy, including taxes;
(F) career readiness and counseling;
(G) the process for transferring between 
institutions; and
(H) sexual violence prevention;
(2) provide medical and health benefits to student athletes 
that include--
(A) medical care, including payment of out-of-
pocket expenses, for an injury of a student athlete 
incurred during the involvement of such student athlete 
in intercollegiate athletics for such institution that 
is available to the student athlete during the period 
of enrollment of the student athlete with such 
institution and a period of at least 3 years following 
graduation or separation from such institution (unless 
such separation is due to violation of a code of 
conduct);
(B) mental health services and support, including 
mental health educational materials and resources;
(C) an administrative structure that provides 
independent medical care, including with respect to 
decisions regarding return to play; and
(D) a certification of insurance coverage for 
medical expenses resulting from injuries of student 
athletes incurred during the involvement of such 
student athletes in intercollegiate athletics for such 
institution;
(3) maintain a grant-in-aid provided to a student athlete 
in relation to the involvement of such student athlete in 
intercollegiate athletics during the period of that grant-in-
aid for such institution without regard to--
(A) athletic performance;
(B) contribution to team success;
(C) injury, illness, or physical or mental 
condition; or
(D) receipt of compensation pursuant to a name, 
image, and likeness agreement;
(4) provide a degree completion program--
(A) for each former student athlete of such 
institution who received a grant-in-aid from such 
institution and did not graduate from such institution; 
and
(B) that provides financial aid to such former 
student athlete in an amount that is based on the 
average annual grant-in-aid provided to such former 
student athlete during the period that such former 
student athlete participated on a varsity sports team 
of the institution; and
(5) establish, not later than July 1, 2027, and thereafter 
maintain, at least 16 varsity sports teams.
(b) Collaboration.--An institution may carry out subsection (a) in 
conjunction with a conference or interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association.
(c) Applicability.--An institution is described in this subsection 
if any member of the coaching staff of a varsity sports team of such 
institution earns more than $250,000 in base salary annually (as 
adjusted on July 1 each year by the percentage increase (if any), 
during the preceding 12-month period, in the Consumer Price Index for 
All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics).

SEC. 6. ROLES OF INTERSTATE INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS.

(a) Authority to Establish Rules.--An interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association is authorized to establish and enforce rules with 
respect to--
(1) requiring a student athlete or prospective student 
athlete to disclose, in a timely manner, the terms of a name, 
image, and likeness agreement entered into by such student 
athlete;
(2) establishing and implementing a process to collect and 
publicly share aggregated and anonymized data related to the 
name, image, and likeness agreements of student athletes 
(without regard to whether such an agreement includes an 
institution as a party to the agreement);
(3) prohibited compensation, including processes for 
dispute resolution and penalties, if such rules provide that a 
student athlete does not lose eligibility to compete in 
intercollegiate athletic competitions while a process for 
dispute resolution is ongoing;
(4) setting parameters for the manner in which and the time 
period during which student athletes and prospective student 
athletes may be recruited for intercollegiate athletics;
(5) calculating a pool limit, if such rules provide that 
such pool limit is at least 22 percent of the average annual 
college sports revenue of the 70 highest earning (with respect 
to such revenue) member institutions of such interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association (or, if such interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association has fewer than 70 members, 
the average annual college sports revenue of all members), and 
monitoring payments of compensation related to such pool limit;
(6) setting parameters for the manner in which a student 
athlete may transfer between institutions, if such rules 
provide that--
(A) on at least 1 occasion each student athlete may 
transfer between institutions and be immediately 
eligible to participate on a varsity sports team of the 
institution to which the student athlete transfers (if 
academically eligible to participate); and
(B) an institution to which a student athlete is 
transferring or is considering transferring shall 
provide to such student athlete, at the request of such 
student athlete, in writing and at a reasonable time 
prior to completion of the transfer, a notice of the 
previously earned academic credits of such student 
athlete that such institution will accept, including 
with respect to the program of study of such student 
athlete;
(7) the length of time a student athlete is eligible to 
participate in intercollegiate athletics and the academic 
standards to be eligible to participate in intercollegiate 
athletics;
(8) establishing and implementing a process, including a 
database, with respect to agent registration, including--
(A) setting qualifications to be registered as an 
agent;
(B) setting parameters for the ability of member 
institutions to negotiate with agents who are not 
registered under such process; and
(C) limiting the amount of the compensation under a 
name, image, and likeness agreement between a student 
athlete and an institution that may be provided to the 
agent of such student athlete to not more than 5 
percent of such compensation;
(9) the membership of, and participation in, such 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association (including any 
championships administered by such interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association), under which such interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association may establish membership 
qualifications, remove members, and otherwise regulate 
participation; and
(10) intercollegiate athletic competitions and playing 
seasons, including rules with respect to season length, maximum 
number of contests, and student athlete time demands (whether 
during a playing season or outside of such season).
(b) Requirements.--
(1) Authority conditioned on compliance.--An interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association is only authorized to 
establish and enforce rules under subsection (a) if such 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association is in 
compliance with this subsection and section 3.
(2) Governance structure.--An interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association (except for an interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association that is also a conference) shall carry out 
the following:
(A) Ensure that the membership of any board, 
committee, or other similar body of such interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association, if tasked with a 
decision-making role (including a decision-making role 
with respect to establishing or enforcing a rule under 
section 6(a)), satisfies the following:
(i) Not less than 20 percent of the members 
of the board, committee, or body are 
individuals who are student athletes or were 
student athletes at any point during the 
preceding 10-year period, with--
(I) men and women equally 
represented with respect to such 
individuals; and
(II) each such individual 
participating in or having participated 
in a different sport.
(ii) Not less than 30 percent of the 
members of the board, committee, or body 
represent institutions that are not among the 
70 highest earning member institutions of such 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association 
with respect to annual college sports revenue.
(B) Establish a council to serve as the primary 
deliberative body of the interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association and that is--
(i) responsible for developing proposals 
with respect to policy; and
(ii) composed of individuals who represent 
each conference that is a member of such 
interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association.

SEC. 7. LIABILITY LIMITATION.

(a) In General.--Adoption of, agreement to, compliance with, or 
enforcement of any rule, regulation, requirement, standard, or other 
provision established pursuant to, or in compliance with, section 6 of 
this Act shall be treated as lawful under the antitrust laws and any 
similar State provision having the force and effect of law.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) may be 
construed to limit or otherwise affect any provision of law, including 
any provision of Federal or State law or the common law, other than the 
antitrust laws and any similar State provision having the force and 
effect of law.

SEC. 8. EMPLOYMENT STANDING.

Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal or State law, no 
individual may be considered an employee of an institution, a 
conference, or an interstate intercollegiate athletic association based 
on the participation of such individual on a varsity sports team or in 
an intercollegiate athletic competition as a student athlete, without 
regard to the existence of rules or requirements for being a member of 
such team or for participating in such competition.

SEC. 9. STUDENT ATHLETIC FEES.

(a) Transparency Requirements.--
(1) Information dissemination activities.--Section 
485(a)(1)(E) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1092(a)(1)(E)) is amended by inserting ``(including the amount 
of such fees used to support intercollegiate athletic 
programs)'' after ``and fees''.
(2) Data required.--
(A) In general.--Section 485(g) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end 
the following:
``(K) With respect to fees charged to students to 
support intercollegiate athletic programs--
``(i) the total amount of such fees charged 
to students;
``(ii) the uses of such fees with respect 
to facilities, operating expenses, 
scholarships, payments to athletes, salaries of 
coaches and support staff, and any other 
expenses reported under this paragraph; and
``(iii) the percentage of the total cost of 
such programs covered by such fees.''; and
(ii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ``; and'';
(II) by striking ``that all 
students'' and inserting the following: 
``that--
``(A) all students''; and
(III) by adding at the end the 
following:
``(B) with respect to the information described in 
paragraph (1)(K), the institution shall annually 
publish such information on a publicly available 
website of the institution not later than October 15 
following the end of each fiscal year of the 
institution.''.
(B) Effective date.--The amendments made by 
subparagraph (A) shall take effect and apply beginning 
on July 1, 2026.
(b) Restricting Student Fees for High-Media-Rights-Revenue 
Institutions.--
(1) Media rights revenues.--Section 485(g)(1)(I)(ii) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(a)(1)(I)(ii)) is 
amended by striking ``broadcast revenues'' and inserting 
``media rights revenues (including revenues from broadcasting, 
streaming, or digital distribution of intercollegiate athletic 
events)''.
(2) Program participation agreements.--Section 487(a) of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:
``(30) In the case of an institution that, for the most 
recently completed fiscal year, had annual media rights 
revenues (as described in section 485(g)(1)(I)(ii)) of 
$50,000,000 or more, the institution will not, for the fiscal 
year immediately following such fiscal year, use student fees 
to support intercollegiate athletic programs, including with 
respect to facilities, operating expenses (as defined in 
section 485(g)), scholarships, payments to athletes, salaries 
of coaches and support staff, and any other expenses reported 
under section 485(g)(1).''.
(3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
shall take effect and apply beginning on July 1, 2026.

SEC. 10. PREEMPTION.

(a) In General.--No State, or political subdivision of a State, may 
maintain, enforce, prescribe, or continue in effect any law, rule, 
regulation, requirement, standard, or other provision having the force 
and effect of law that conflicts with this Act, including the 
amendments made by this Act, and that--
(1) governs or regulates the compensation, payment, 
benefits, or employment status of a student athlete (including 
a prospective student athlete) with respect to participation in 
intercollegiate athletics, including any law, rule, regulation, 
requirement, standard, or other provision that--
(A) relates to the right of a student athlete to 
receive compensation or other payments or benefits 
directly or indirectly from any institution, associated 
entity or individual, conference, or interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association; or
(B) relates to the length of time a student athlete 
is eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics 
or the academic standards to be eligible to participate 
in intercollegiate athletics;
(2) limits or restricts a right provided to an institution, 
a conference, or an interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association under this Act; or
(3) requires a release of or license to use the name, 
image, and likeness rights of any individual participant, or 
group of participants, in an intercollegiate athletic 
competition (or an individual spectator or group of spectators 
at an intercollegiate athletic competition) for purposes of 
audio-visual, audio, or visual broadcasts or other 
distributions of such intercollegiate athletic competition.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) may be 
construed to--
(1) relieve any person of liability under a State law of 
general applicability that does not conflict with this Act, 
including the amendments made by this Act; or
(2) relieve any person of liability under common law.

SEC. 11. REPORTS.

(a) Federal Trade Commission Study.--
(1) Study.--The Federal Trade Commission shall conduct a 
study to analyze the impacts of establishing a program, 
administered by an entity independent of any institution, 
conference, or interstate intercollegiate athletic association, 
to develop standards for, certify as compliant with such 
standards, and otherwise regulate agents who enter into 
agreements with student athletes, which shall include an 
analysis of--
(A) options for establishing such a program;
(B) potential sources of funding for such a 
program;
(C) a reasonable timeline for establishing such a 
program; and
(D) the costs and benefits associated with such a 
program.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall 
submit to Congress a report on the results of the study 
conducted under paragraph (1), which shall include legislative 
recommendations with respect to the establishment and funding 
of the program described in such paragraph.
(b) Compliance Reporting.--
(1) Biennial report.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2 years 
thereafter, each interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association shall submit to Congress a report that includes--
(A) a summary of the issues faced by such 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association 
relating to compliance with this Act, including the 
amendments made by this Act;
(B) a summary of the trends among institutions, 
conferences, and interstate intercollegiate athletic 
associations relating to such compliance; and
(C) recommendations to improve the health, safety, 
and educational opportunities of student athletes.
(2) Comptroller general report.--Not later than 5 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 5 years 
thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall--
(A) conduct an investigation with respect to 
compliance with this Act, including the amendments made 
by this Act; and
(B) submit to Congress a report that includes--
(i) a summary of the findings of the 
investigation conducted under subparagraph (A); 
and
(ii) recommendations to improve the health, 
safety, and educational opportunities of 
student athletes.
(c) Study on Olympic Sports.--
(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study--
(A) to assess the impact of this Act on Olympic 
Sports, including the funding of Olympic Sports; and
(B) to develop recommendations for support of 
Olympic Sports, given the unique nature of Olympic 
Sports and intercollegiate athletics in the United 
States.
(2) Contents.--The study conducted under paragraph (1) 
shall include--
(A) a survey of international models of support for 
Olympic Sports, including models that could be adapted 
to the unique nature of Olympic Sports and 
intercollegiate athletics in the United States;
(B) the projected scale and magnitude of potential 
support for Olympic Sports, given historic levels of 
support provided by institutions;
(C) the coordination required to develop and 
cultivate Olympic Sports at institutions; and
(D) an analysis of the trends with respect to 
roster sizes for Olympic Sports at institutions, with a 
focus on the top 70 highest earning institutions with 
respect to average annual college sports revenue.
(3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the 
study conducted under paragraph (1).
(4) Olympic sports defined.--In this subsection, the term 
``Olympic Sports'' means the sports officially recognized and 
contested during the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Student Compensation and Opportunity 
through Rights and Endorsements Act'' or the ``SCORE Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Agent.--The term ``agent'' means an individual who 
receives compensation to represent a student athlete with 
respect to--
(A) a name, image, and likeness agreement; or
(B) another agreement for compensation related to 
the participation of such student athlete on a varsity 
sports team.
(2) Antitrust laws.--The term ``antitrust laws'' has the 
meaning given such term in the 1st section of the Clayton Act 
(15 U.S.C. 12) and includes section 5 of the Federal Trade 
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such section 5 
applies to unfair methods of competition.
(3) Associated entity or individual.--The term ``associated 
entity or individual'' means, with respect to an institution, 
each of the following:
(A) An entity that is known or should be known to 
the employees of the athletic department of such 
institution to exist, in significant part, for the 
purpose of--
(i) promoting or supporting the varsity 
sports teams or student athletes of such 
institution; or
(ii) creating or identifying opportunities 
relating to name, image, and likeness 
agreements solely for the student athletes of 
such institution.
(B) An individual who is or has been a member, 
employee, director, officer, owner, or other 
representative of an entity described in subparagraph 
(A).
(C) An individual who directly or indirectly 
(including through contributions by an entity 
affiliated with such individual or an immediate family 
member of such individual) has contributed more than 
$50,000 (as adjusted on July 1 each year by the 
percentage increase (if any), during the preceding 12-
month period, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 
Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) 
over the lifetime of the individual to the athletic 
programs of such institution or to an entity described 
in subparagraph (A).
(D) An individual or entity who--
(i) is directed or requested by the 
employees of the athletic department of such 
institution to assist in the recruitment or 
retention of prospective student athletes or 
student athletes, respectively; or
(ii) otherwise assists in such recruitment 
or retention.
(E) Any entity (other than a publicly traded 
corporation) owned, controlled, operated by, or 
otherwise affiliated with an individual or entity 
described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D).
(4) College sports revenue.--The term ``college sports 
revenue'' means any revenue (without regard to ownership or 
legal title to such revenue) received by an institution with 
respect to intercollegiate athletics--
(A) from the sale of admission to intercollegiate 
athletic competitions or any other event involving a 
varsity sports team, including actual monetary revenue 
received by or for the benefit of such institution for 
a suite license (unless such suite license is 
associated with philanthropy or any purpose not related 
to intercollegiate athletic competitions, including a 
concert);
(B) from participation by the varsity sports teams 
of such institution in intercollegiate athletic 
competitions held at other institutions, including 
payments received due to cancellations of such 
intercollegiate athletic competitions;
(C) for radio, television, internet, digital, and 
e-commerce rights, including revenue relating to media 
rights distributed by a conference to members of the 
conference, if applicable;
(D) from an interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association, including any grant, distribution of 
revenue, reimbursement relating to travel with respect 
to a championship of such interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association, and payment for hosting such a 
championship;
(E) generated by a post-season football bowl, 
including any distribution of revenue by a conference 
to members of the conference and any other payment 
related to the participation of such institution in 
such post-season football bowl, including for ticket 
sales and reimbursement of expenses;
(F) from a conference, other than any revenue 
otherwise described in this paragraph;
(G) for sponsorships, licensing agreements, 
advertisements, royalties, and in-kind products and 
services as part of a sponsorship agreement; or
(H) relating to any additional form of revenue, 
including fundraising, an interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association uses with respect to the pool 
limit of such interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association.
(5) Compensation.--The term ``compensation''--
(A) means, with respect to a student athlete or a 
prospective student athlete, any form of payment or 
remuneration, whether provided through cash, benefits, 
awards, or any other means, including payments for--
(i) licenses relating to, or the use of, 
name, image, and likeness rights; or
(ii) licenses relating to, or the use of, 
any other Federal or State intellectual or 
intangible property right; and
(B) does not include--
(i) grants-in-aid;
(ii) Federal Pell Grants and other Federal 
or State grants unrelated to and not awarded 
with regard to participation in intercollegiate 
athletics;
(iii) health insurance and payments for the 
costs of health care, including health 
insurance and payments for the costs of health 
care wholly or partly self-funded by an 
institution, conference, or interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association;
(iv) disability and loss-of-value 
insurance, including disability and loss-of-
value insurance that is wholly or partly self-
funded by an institution, conference, or 
interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association;
(v) career counseling, job placement 
services, and other guidance available to all 
students at an institution;
(vi) payment of hourly wages and benefits 
for work actually performed (and not for 
participation in intercollegiate athletics) at 
a rate commensurate with the going rate in the 
locality of an institution for similar work;
(vii) academic awards paid to student 
athletes by institutions;
(viii) provision of financial literacy or 
tax education resources and guidance; or
(ix) any program to connect student 
athletes with employers and facilitate 
employment opportunities, if--
(I) the financial terms of such 
employment opportunities are consistent 
with the terms offered to similarly 
situated employees who are not student 
athletes; and
(II) such program is not used to 
induce a student athlete to attend a 
particular institution.
(6) Conference.--The term ``conference'' means an entity 
that--
(A) has as members 2 or more institutions;
(B) arranges regular season intercollegiate 
athletic competitions and championships for such 
members; and
(C) sets rules with respect to such intercollegiate 
athletic competitions and championships.
(7) Cost of attendance.--The term ``cost of attendance'' 
has the meaning given such term in section 472 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll).
(8) Grant-in-aid.--The term ``grant-in-aid'' means a 
scholarship, grant, stipend, or other form of financial 
assistance, including the provision of tuition, room, board, 
books, or funds for fees or personal expenses, that--
(A) is paid or provided by an institution to a 
student for the undergraduate or graduate course of 
study of the student; and
(B) is in an amount that does not exceed the cost 
of attendance at the institution for such student.
(9) Image.--The term ``image'' means, with respect to a 
student athlete, a picture or a video that identifies, is 
linked to, or is reasonably linkable to such student athlete.
(10) Institution.--The term ``institution'' has the meaning 
given the term ``institution of higher education'' in section 
102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
(11) Intercollegiate athletic competition.--The term 
``intercollegiate athletic competition'' means any contest, 
game, meet, match, tournament, regatta, or other event in which 
varsity sports teams of more than 1 institution compete.
(12) Intercollegiate athletics.--The term ``intercollegiate 
athletics''--
(A) means the varsity sports teams for which the 
length of time a student athlete is eligible to 
participate and the academic standards for 
participation are established by a conference or an 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association; and
(B) does not include any recreational, intramural, 
or club teams.
(13) Interstate intercollegiate athletic association.--The 
term ``interstate intercollegiate athletic association'' 
means--
(A) any entity that--
(i) sets common rules, standards, 
procedures, or guidelines for the 
administration and regulation of varsity sports 
teams and intercollegiate athletic 
competitions;
(ii) is composed of 2 or more institutions 
or conferences located in more than 1 State; 
and
(iii) has rules or bylaws prohibiting the 
provision of prohibited compensation to student 
athletes and prospective student athletes; and
(B) does not include any entity affiliated with 
professional athletic competitions.
(14) Likeness.--The term ``likeness'' means, with respect 
to a student athlete, a physical or digital depiction or 
representation that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably 
linkable to such student athlete.
(15) Name.--The term ``name'' means, with respect to a 
student athlete, the first, middle, or last name, or the 
nickname or former name, of such student athlete if used in a 
context that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably 
linkable to such student athlete.
(16) Name, image, and likeness agreement.--The term ``name, 
image, and likeness agreement'' means a contract or similar 
agreement under which a student athlete licenses or authorizes, 
or a contract or similar agreement that otherwise is in 
relation to, the commercial use of the name, image, or likeness 
of the student athlete.
(17) Name, image, and likeness rights.--The term ``name, 
image, and likeness rights'' means rights recognized under 
Federal or State law that allow an individual to control and 
profit from the commercial use of the name, image, and likeness 
of such individual, including all rights commonly referred to 
as ``publicity rights''.
(18) Pool limit.--The term ``pool limit'' means a dollar 
amount based on college sports revenue that--
(A) is calculated and published by an interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association pursuant to the 
rules the interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association establishes under section 6; and
(B) serves as the annual maximum amount that an 
institution that is a member of such interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association may provide, in 
total, to student athletes of such institution, 
including in the form of a name, image, and likeness 
agreement or direct payment.
(19) Prohibited compensation.--The term ``prohibited 
compensation'' means--
(A) compensation (including an agreement for 
compensation) to a student athlete from an associated 
entity or individual of the institution at which the 
student athlete is enrolled (or to a prospective 
student athlete from an associated entity or individual 
of an institution for which the prospective student 
athlete is being recruited) for any license or use of 
the name, image, and likeness rights of such student 
athlete or prospective student athlete (or any other 
license or use), unless the license or use is for a 
valid business purpose related to the promotion or 
endorsement of goods or services provided to the 
general public for profit, with compensation at rates 
and terms commensurate with compensation paid to 
individuals with name, image, and likeness rights of 
comparable value who are not student athletes or 
prospective student athletes with respect to such 
institution; and
(B) compensation to a student athlete (or a 
prospective student athlete) if such compensation is 
paid by or on behalf of the institution at which the 
student athlete is enrolled (or for which the 
prospective student athlete is being recruited) and 
results in the exceeding of the pool limit established 
by the interstate intercollegiate athletic association 
of which such institution is a member.
(20) Prospective student athlete.--The term ``prospective 
student athlete'' means an individual who is solicited to 
enroll at an institution by, or at the direction of, an 
employee or an associated entity or individual of the 
institution in order for such individual to participate in a 
varsity sports team of such institution.
(21) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of the 
United States, the District of Columbia, and each commonwealth, 
territory, or possession of the United States.
(22) Student athlete.--The term ``student athlete'' means 
an individual who--
(A) is enrolled or has agreed to enroll at an 
institution; and
(B) participates in a varsity sports team of such 
institution.
(23) Varsity sports team.--The term ``varsity sports team'' 
means an entity composed of an individual or group of 
individuals enrolled at an institution that is organized by 
such institution for the purpose of participation in 
intercollegiate athletic competitions.

SEC. 3. PROTECTION OF NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS RIGHTS OF STUDENT 
ATHLETES.

(a) Right To Enter Into Name, Image, and Likeness Agreements.--
(1) In general.--No institution, conference, or interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association may restrict the ability 
of a student athlete to enter into a name, image, and likeness 
agreement.
(2) Exceptions.--
(A) Prohibited compensation.--Paragraph (1) does 
not apply with respect to a name, image, and likeness 
agreement to the extent such agreement provides 
prohibited compensation.
(B) Codes of conduct and conflicting agreements.--
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an institution may 
restrict the ability of a student athlete of such 
institution (including a prospective student athlete 
who has agreed to attend such institution) to enter 
into a name, image, and likeness agreement that--
(i) violates the code of conduct of such 
institution; or
(ii) conflicts with the terms of a contract 
or similar agreement to which such institution 
is a party.
(b) Right to Representation.--Except as provided by this Act, no 
institution, conference, or interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association may restrict the ability of a student athlete to obtain an 
agent.
(c) Right to Privacy.--Except as provided by this Act, no 
institution, conference, or interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association may release information with respect to a name, image, and 
likeness agreement without the express written consent of any student 
athlete who is a party to such agreement.
(d) Right to Transparent Agreements.--A name, image, and likeness 
agreement under which a student athlete is provided compensation in an 
amount greater than $600 shall be considered void from the inception of 
such agreement if such agreement does not satisfy the following:
(1) The agreement is in writing.
(2) The agreement contains the following:
(A) A description of any services to be rendered 
under the agreement.
(B) The names of the parties to the agreement.
(C) The term of the agreement.
(D) The amount of compensation to be provided to 
the student athlete under the agreement.
(E) A provision specifying the circumstances or 
events under which the agreement may be terminated due 
to non-performance of obligations by the student 
athlete.
(F) A provision specifying that the student athlete 
may terminate the agreement, notwithstanding any other 
term described in the agreement, beginning on the date 
that is 6 months after the date on which the student 
athlete is no longer enrolled at any institution.
(G) The signature of the student athlete or, if the 
student athlete is under the age of 18 years, the 
signature of the parent or guardian of the student 
athlete.
(e) Actions by States.--In any case in which the attorney general 
of a State, or an official or agency of a State, has reason to believe 
that an interest of the residents of such State has been or is 
threatened or adversely affected by an act or practice in violation of 
this section, the State, as parens patriae, may bring a civil action on 
behalf of the residents of the State in an appropriate State court or 
an appropriate district court of the United States to--
(1) enjoin such act or practice;
(2) enforce compliance with this section;
(3) obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation on 
behalf of residents of the State; or
(4) obtain such other legal and equitable relief as the 
court may consider to be appropriate.

SEC. 4. SPORTS AGENT RESPONSIBILITY AND TRUST ACT.

The Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801 et 
seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 3(b)(3), by striking ``Warning to Student 
Athlete: If you agree orally or in writing to be represented by 
an agent now or in the future you may lose your eligibility to 
compete as a student athlete in your sport.'' and inserting 
``Notice to Student Athlete:''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 9. DISCLOSURE AND CONSENT RELATING TO NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS 
AGREEMENTS.

``(a) In General.--An athlete agent who assists a student athlete 
with an endorsement contract shall disclose in writing to the student 
athlete--
``(1) whether the athlete agent is registered with an 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association (as defined in 
section 2 of the SCORE Act); and
``(2) if the athlete agent is registered with an interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association, whether the athlete agent 
is registered with the interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association that has as a member the institution (as defined in 
section 2 of the SCORE Act) at which the student athlete is 
enrolled.
``(b) Consent.--In the case of an athlete agent who is not 
registered with an interstate intercollegiate athletic association, the 
athlete agent may only assist a student athlete with an endorsement 
contract if the student athlete (or, in the case of a student athlete 
who is under 18 years of age, the parent or guardian of the student 
athlete) provides to the athlete agent written consent for such 
assistance after receiving the disclosure under subsection (a).
``(c) Enforcement.--
``(1) In general.--If an attorney general of a State has 
reason to believe that an interest of the residents of that 
State has been or is threatened or adversely affected by the 
engagement of any athlete agent in a practice that violates 
this section, the attorney general may bring a civil action 
pursuant to section 5 in the same manner as the attorney 
general may bring a civil action with respect to a violation of 
section 3.
``(2) Sole authority.--No individual or entity other than 
an attorney general of a State may enforce this section.
``(3) No federal notice necessary.--Subsections (a)(2), 
(b), and (d) of section 5 do not apply to an action brought by 
an attorney general of a State pursuant to this subsection.''.

SEC. 5. REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS.

(a) Requirements.--An institution described in subsection (c) 
shall--
(1) provide comprehensive academic support and career 
counseling services to student athletes that include life 
skills development programs with respect to--
(A) mental health, including alcohol and substance 
abuse;
(B) strength and conditioning;
(C) nutrition;
(D) name, image, and likeness rights;
(E) access to legal and tax services provided by 
entities other than an institution;
(F) financial literacy;
(G) career readiness and counseling;
(H) the process for transferring between 
institutions; and
(I) sexual violence prevention and consequences;
(2) provide medical and health benefits to student athletes 
that include--
(A) medical care, including payment of out-of-
pocket expenses, for an injury of a student athlete 
incurred during the involvement of such student athlete 
in intercollegiate athletics for such institution that 
is available to such student athlete during the period 
of enrollment of such student athlete with such 
institution and a period of at least 3 years following 
graduation or separation from such institution (unless 
such separation is due to violation of a code of 
conduct);
(B) mental health services and support, including 
mental health educational materials and resources;
(C) an administrative structure that provides 
independent medical care, including with respect to 
decisions regarding return to play; and
(D) a certification of insurance coverage for 
medical expenses resulting from injuries of student 
athletes incurred during the involvement of such 
student athletes in intercollegiate athletics for such 
institution;
(3) maintain a grant-in-aid provided to a student athlete 
in relation to the involvement of such student athlete in 
intercollegiate athletics during the period of that grant-in-
aid for such institution without regard to--
(A) athletic performance;
(B) contribution to team success;
(C) injury, illness, or physical or mental 
condition; or
(D) receipt of compensation pursuant to a name, 
image, and likeness agreement;
(4) provide degree completion assistance--
(A) for each former student athlete of such 
institution--
(i) who received a grant-in-aid from such 
institution;
(ii) who was a student athlete at such 
institution on or after the date of enactment 
of this Act and who ceased participating as a 
student athlete for a reason other than a 
reason described in clause (i) or (ii) of 
subparagraph (D);
(iii) who has not received a bachelor's 
degree (or an equivalent degree) from any 
institution; and
(iv) for whom such institution is the last 
institution such former student athlete 
attended;
(B) that makes available to such former student 
athlete, for the period described in subparagraph (C) 
and subject to subparagraph (D), financial aid in an 
annual amount that is equal to the average annual 
grant-in-aid provided to such former student athlete 
during the period that such former student athlete was 
a student athlete at such institution;
(C) for the period beginning on the last date of 
the final period of enrollment during which such former 
student athlete was a student athlete at such 
institution and ending on the date that such former 
student athlete completes a bachelor's degree (or an 
equivalent degree), not to exceed 7 years; and
(D) that prohibits a former student athlete from 
receiving the financial aid described in subparagraph 
(B) if such former student athlete--
(i) fails to meet the institution's 
academic progress requirements for the degree 
program; or
(ii) violates the institution's code of 
conduct; and
(5) establish, not later than July 1, 2027, and thereafter 
maintain, at least 16 varsity sports teams and, if a recipient 
of Federal financial assistance, establish and maintain such 
teams in accordance with section 106.41(c) of title 34, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
(b) Collaboration.--An institution may carry out subsection (a) in 
conjunction with a conference or interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association.
(c) Applicability.--An institution is described in this subsection 
if such institution reports (as required under section 485(g) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g))) having generated not 
less than $20,000,000 (as adjusted on July 1 each year by the 
percentage increase (if any), during the preceding 12-month period, in 
the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics) in total revenue derived by the institution 
from the institution's intercollegiate athletics activities during the 
preceding academic year, as determined in accordance with paragraph 
(1)(I) of section 485(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1092(g)), as amended by this Act.
(d) Program Participation Agreements.--Section 487(a) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
``(30) In the case of an institution described in 
subsection (c) of section 5 of the SCORE Act, the institution 
will comply with subsection (a) of such section.''.

SEC. 6. ROLES OF INTERSTATE INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS.

(a) Authority to Establish Rules.--An interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association is authorized to establish and enforce rules with 
respect to--
(1) requiring a student athlete or prospective student 
athlete to disclose, in a timely manner, the terms of a name, 
image, and likeness agreement entered into by such student 
athlete;
(2) establishing and implementing a process to collect and 
publicly share aggregated and anonymized data related to the 
name, image, and likeness agreements of student athletes 
(without regard to whether such an agreement includes an 
institution as a party to the agreement);
(3) prohibited compensation, including processes for 
dispute resolution and penalties, if such rules provide that a 
student athlete does not lose eligibility to compete in 
intercollegiate athletic competitions while a process for 
dispute resolution is ongoing;
(4) setting parameters for the manner in which and the time 
period during which student athletes and prospective student 
athletes may be recruited for intercollegiate athletics;
(5) calculating a pool limit, if such rules provide that 
such pool limit is at least 22 percent of the average annual 
college sports revenue of the 70 highest earning (with respect 
to such revenue) member institutions of such interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association (or, if such interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association has fewer than 70 members, 
the average annual college sports revenue of all members), and 
monitoring payments of compensation related to such pool limit;
(6) setting parameters for the manner in which a student 
athlete may transfer between institutions, if such rules 
provide that--
(A) on at least 1 occasion each student athlete may 
transfer between institutions and be immediately 
eligible to participate on a varsity sports team of the 
institution to which the student athlete transfers (if 
academically eligible to participate); and
(B) an institution to which a student athlete is 
transferring or is considering transferring shall 
provide to such student athlete, at the request of such 
student athlete, in writing and at a reasonable time 
prior to completion of the transfer, a notice of the 
previously earned academic credits of such student 
athlete that such institution will accept, including 
with respect to the program of study of such student 
athlete;
(7) the length of time a student athlete is eligible to 
participate in intercollegiate athletics and the academic 
standards to be eligible to participate in intercollegiate 
athletics;
(8) establishing and implementing a process, including a 
database, with respect to agent registration, including--
(A) setting qualifications to be registered as an 
agent;
(B) setting parameters for the ability of member 
institutions to negotiate with agents who are not 
registered under such process; and
(C) limiting the amount of the compensation under a 
name, image, and likeness agreement between a student 
athlete and an institution that may be provided to the 
agent of such student athlete to not more than 5 
percent of such compensation;
(9) the membership of, and participation in, such 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association (including any 
championships administered by such interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association), under which such interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association may establish membership 
qualifications, remove members, and otherwise regulate 
participation; and
(10) intercollegiate athletic competitions and playing 
seasons, including rules with respect to season length, maximum 
number of contests, and student athlete time demands (whether 
during a playing season or outside of such season).
(b) Requirements.--
(1) Authority conditioned on compliance.--An interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association is only authorized to 
establish and enforce rules under subsection (a) if such 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association is in 
compliance with this subsection and section 3.
(2) Governance structure.--An interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association (except for an interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association that is also a conference) shall carry out 
the following:
(A) Ensure that the membership of any board, 
committee, or other similar body of such interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association, if tasked with a 
decision-making role (including a decision-making role 
with respect to establishing or enforcing a rule under 
section 6(a)), satisfies the following:
(i) Not less than 20 percent of the members 
of the board, committee, or body are 
individuals who are student athletes or were 
student athletes at any point during the 
preceding 10-year period, with--
(I) men and women equally 
represented with respect to such 
individuals; and
(II) each such individual 
participating in or having participated 
in a different sport.
(ii) Not less than 30 percent of the 
members of the board, committee, or body 
represent institutions that are not among the 
70 highest earning member institutions of such 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association 
with respect to annual college sports revenue.
(B) Establish a council to serve as the primary 
deliberative body of the interstate intercollegiate 
athletic association and that is--
(i) responsible for developing proposals 
with respect to policy; and
(ii) composed of individuals who represent 
each conference that is a member of such 
interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association.

SEC. 7. TITLE IX.

Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, may be 
construed to limit or otherwise affect title IX of the Education 
Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.).

SEC. 8. LIABILITY LIMITATION.

(a) In General.--Adoption of, agreement to, compliance with, or 
enforcement of any rule, regulation, requirement, standard, or other 
provision established pursuant to, or in compliance with, section 6 of 
this Act shall be treated as lawful under the antitrust laws and any 
similar State provision having the force and effect of law.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) may be 
construed to limit or otherwise affect any provision of law, including 
any provision of Federal or State law or the common law, other than the 
antitrust laws and any similar State provision having the force and 
effect of law.

SEC. 9. EMPLOYMENT STANDING.

Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal or State law, no 
individual may be considered an employee of an institution, a 
conference, or an interstate intercollegiate athletic association based 
on the participation of such individual on a varsity sports team or in 
an intercollegiate athletic competition as a student athlete, without 
regard to the existence of rules or requirements for being a member of 
such team or for participating in such competition.

SEC. 10. STUDENT ATHLETIC FEES.

(a) Transparency Requirements.--
(1) Information dissemination activities.--Section 
485(a)(1)(E) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1092(a)(1)(E)) is amended by inserting ``(including the amount 
of such fees used to support intercollegiate athletic 
programs)'' after ``and fees''.
(2) Data required.--
(A) In general.--Section 485(g) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end 
the following:
``(K) With respect to fees charged to students to 
support intercollegiate athletic programs--
``(i) the total amount of such fees charged 
to students;
``(ii) the uses of such fees with respect 
to facilities, operating expenses, 
scholarships, payments to athletes, salaries of 
coaches and support staff, and any other 
expenses reported under this paragraph; and
``(iii) the percentage of the total cost of 
such programs covered by such fees.''; and
(ii) in paragraph (3)--
(I) by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ``; and'';
(II) by striking ``that all 
students'' and inserting the following: 
``that--
``(A) all students''; and
(III) by adding at the end the 
following:
``(B) with respect to the information described in 
paragraph (1)(K), the institution shall annually 
publish such information on a publicly available 
website of the institution not later than October 15 
following the end of each fiscal year of the 
institution.''.
(B) Effective date.--The amendments made by 
subparagraph (A) shall take effect on July 1, 2026, and 
shall apply with respect to academic year 2026-2027 and 
each succeeding academic year.
(b) Restricting Student Fees for High-media-rights-revenue 
Institutions.--
(1) Media rights revenues.--Section 485(g)(1)(I)(ii) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)(1)(I)(ii)) is 
amended by striking ``broadcast revenues'' and inserting 
``media rights revenues (including revenues from broadcasting, 
streaming, or digital distribution of intercollegiate athletic 
events)''.
(2) Program participation agreements.--Section 487(a) of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)), as 
amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end 
the following:
``(31)(A) Beginning in academic year 2028-2029, and each 
succeeding academic year, the institution will determine the 
average annual media rights revenue of such institution by 
averaging the media rights revenues reported under section 
485(g)(1)(I) for the second and third preceding academic years.
``(B) In the case of an institution with an average annual 
media rights revenue of $50,000,000 or more, as determined 
under subparagraph (A) for an academic year, the institution 
will not, for the first academic year that begins after such 
academic year, use student fees to support intercollegiate 
athletic programs (including with respect to facilities, 
operating expenses (as defined in section 485(g)(5)), 
scholarships, payments to athletes, salaries of coaches and 
support staff, and any other expenses reported under section 
485(g)(1)).''.

SEC. 11. PREEMPTION.

(a) In General.--No State, or political subdivision of a State, may 
maintain, enforce, prescribe, or continue in effect any law, rule, 
regulation, requirement, standard, or other provision having the force 
and effect of law that conflicts with this Act, including the 
amendments made by this Act, and that--
(1) governs or regulates the compensation, payment, 
benefits, or employment status of a student athlete (including 
a prospective student athlete) with respect to participation in 
intercollegiate athletics, including any law, rule, regulation, 
requirement, standard, or other provision that--
(A) relates to the right of a student athlete to 
receive compensation or other payments or benefits 
directly or indirectly from any institution, associated 
entity or individual, conference, or interstate 
intercollegiate athletic association; or
(B) relates to the length of time a student athlete 
is eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics 
or the academic standards to be eligible to participate 
in intercollegiate athletics;
(2) limits or restricts a right provided to an institution, 
a conference, or an interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association under this Act; or
(3) requires a release of or license to use the name, 
image, and likeness rights of any individual participant, or 
group of participants, in an intercollegiate athletic 
competition (or an individual spectator or group of spectators 
at an intercollegiate athletic competition) for purposes of 
audio-visual, audio, or visual broadcasts or other 
distributions of such intercollegiate athletic competition.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a) may be 
construed to--
(1) relieve any person of liability under a State law of 
general applicability that does not conflict with this Act, 
including the amendments made by this Act; or
(2) relieve any person of liability under common law.

SEC. 12. REPORTS.

(a) Federal Trade Commission Study.--
(1) Study.--The Federal Trade Commission shall conduct a 
study to analyze the impacts of establishing a program, 
administered by an entity independent of any institution, 
conference, or interstate intercollegiate athletic association, 
to develop standards for, certify as compliant with such 
standards, and otherwise regulate agents who enter into 
agreements with student athletes, which shall include an 
analysis of--
(A) options for establishing such a program;
(B) potential sources of funding for such a 
program;
(C) a reasonable timeline for establishing such a 
program; and
(D) the costs and benefits associated with such a 
program.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall 
submit to Congress a report on the results of the study 
conducted under paragraph (1), which shall include legislative 
recommendations with respect to the establishment and funding 
of the program described in such paragraph.
(b) Compliance Reporting.--
(1) Biennial report.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2 years 
thereafter, each interstate intercollegiate athletic 
association shall submit to Congress a report that includes--
(A) a summary of the issues faced by such 
interstate intercollegiate athletic association 
relating to compliance with this Act, including the 
amendments made by this Act;
(B) a summary of the trends among institutions, 
conferences, and interstate intercollegiate athletic 
associations relating to such compliance; and
(C) recommendations to improve the health, safety, 
and educational opportunities of student athletes.
(2) Comptroller general report.--Not later than 5 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 5 years 
thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall--
(A) conduct an investigation with respect to 
compliance with this Act, including the amendments made 
by this Act; and
(B) submit to Congress a report that includes--
(i) a summary of the findings of the 
investigation conducted under subparagraph (A); 
and
(ii) recommendations to improve the health, 
safety, and educational opportunities of 
student athletes.
(c) Study on Olympic Sports.--
(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study--
(A) to assess the impact of this Act on Olympic 
Sports, including the funding of Olympic Sports; and
(B) to develop recommendations for support of 
Olympic Sports, given the unique nature of Olympic 
Sports and intercollegiate athletics in the United 
States.
(2) Contents.--The study conducted under paragraph (1) 
shall include--
(A) a survey of international models of support for 
Olympic Sports, including models that could be adapted 
to the unique nature of Olympic Sports and 
intercollegiate athletics in the United States;
(B) the projected scale and magnitude of potential 
support for Olympic Sports, given historic levels of 
support provided by institutions;
(C) the coordination required to develop and 
cultivate Olympic Sports at institutions; and
(D) an analysis of the trends with respect to 
roster sizes for Olympic Sports at institutions, with a 
focus on the top 70 highest earning institutions with 
respect to average annual college sports revenue.
(3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the 
study conducted under paragraph (1).
(4) Olympic sports defined.--In this subsection, the term 
``Olympic Sports'' means the sports officially recognized and 
contested during the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
Union Calendar No. 226

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4312

[Report No. 119-270, Parts I and II]

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To protect the name, image, and likeness rights of student athletes and 
to promote fair competition with respect to intercollegiate athletics, 
and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

September 11, 2025

Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce with an amendment

September 11, 2025

Reported from the Committee on Education and Workforce with an 
amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 
of the Union, and ordered to be printed