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Minutes for HB2264 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Permitting student athletes at postsecondary educational institutions to receive compensation for the use of their name, image, likeness rights or athletic reputation.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 18, 2021
Chairperson Patton opened the hearing on HB2264. Natalie Scott provided at overview of the bill. (Attachment 1) Ms. Scott stood for questions.
Proponent
Gene Taylor (Attachment 2) testified in support of HB2264 explaining that college athletes are on a bigger stage now then they have ever been before. With that, comes new demands which they must consider. Name, Image, Likeness legislation is the newest of these demands. It is a topic that is hard to navigate and one that requires legislation to be certain it is well-regulated with the best interest of student athletes in mind while ensuring the collegiate model of today, which has no parallel in the world. Colleges are not the NFL, NBA or Major League Baseball where well-organized drafts determine the participants. Our participants choose the institution where they want to compete. Recruitment, especially at the Division I level, is highly competitive and highly regulated. To replace or significantly amend the current benefits systems in place, it must be able to move ahead with assurance that recruitment can exist and that integrity can be maintained and enhanced. There are many positive concepts in this bill that Mr. Taylor believes could benefit college athletes. Mr. Taylor provided additional supportive testimony in his written submission.
Jeff Long (Attachment 3) explained that college athletics continues to navigate uncharted waters and the future competitiveness of University's intercollegiate athletic programs in the State of Kansas could be at risk if this bill in not enacted. The Fair Pay to Play Act passed in California last year has accelerated the push to change NCAA rules that would provide student-athletes the opportunity to profit from their Name, Image and Likeness. Kansas colleges will be at a competitive disadvantage when recruiting against universities located in states that will permit student-athletes to monetize their Name, Image and Likeness, our great State of Kansas must be ready with this bill or forever risk the future of our historically successful athletic programs.
Written Proponent
- Matt Lindsey, President, Kansas Independent College Assn. (Attachment 4)
- Allison Garrett, President, Emporia State University (Attachment 5)
Chairperson Patton asked if there was anyone else with proponent, neutral, or opponent testimony. Being none, he closed the hearing on HB2264.
