The Texas Senate spent more than an hour debating House Bill 1 26, a proposal by Rep. (filed as HB 126) to change state law to allow universities to enter name, image and likeness agreements with prospective student‑athletes, including agreements that could be made while the athlete is in middle or high school.

Senator Creighton, the bill’s sponsor on the floor, told colleagues the change "updates the name, image, and likeness, NIL law in Texas to keep our university athletic programs competitive in light of expected changes to the NCAA rules." He said the bill would allow universities to "enter NIL agreements with student athletes, permitting those agreements to be offered before a student enrolls, and giving universities the flexibility to comply with future NCAA or conference rules."

Members pushed back on several fronts. Senator West and Senator Colchorus pressed Creighton about middle‑school and high‑school students, asking whether the bill would let agents or universities solicit or lock in deals with children. Creighton answered that agreements could be negotiated earlier but that "neither of those individuals could receive any dollars until they're enrolled in the university and actually part of the program." Senator Colchorus expressed broader concern about agents approaching pre‑college children and the effect on amateur athletics.

Senators also discussed the relationship between state law, pending court settlements involving the NCAA and the University athletic landscape, and UIL rules. Creighton warned that court settlements expected after the session could change the legal landscape and said the bill was intended to align Texas law with those anticipated outcomes so Texas programs would not be excluded from new national practices.

After extended floor colloquy and multiple questions from colleagues, Senator Creighton withdrew his motion to proceed on the bill. "We’re gonna continue to work on this legislation ... For that, I withdraw my motion," he said. Because the sponsor withdrew the motion, the Senate did not take further action on HB 126 during the session record contained here.

Why it matters: The bill touches recruiting and compensation practices for college athletics and raises questions about the protections for minors, the role of UIL and NCAA rules, and whether state law should anticipate or defer to pending federal court settlements and national governing bodies.

Looking ahead: The sponsor said he intends to continue work with members and stakeholders; no vote or amendment that changed substantive policy was adopted on the floor during this sitting.