Senate committee backs bill letting public colleges authorize NIL deals, bars use of legislative appropriations

House Bill 25-76, a measure to let state colleges and universities authorize and administer name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation for student athletes, was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass after committee debate and a rejected amendment.

Counsel Hank told the committee the bill "allows state institutions of higher education to enter into agreements providing for the compensation of student athletes for the use of the student's, the student athlete's name, image, or likeness," and permits revenue sharing or direct payments from an institution while expressly prohibiting the use of monies "appropriated by the legislature" for those payments. Hank said the bill also protects student athletes and institutions from adverse…