Georgia subcommittee advances bill to formalize high‑school NIL protections
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Summary
The House education subcommittee advanced HB 383 to codify name‑image‑likeness (NIL) rules for high‑school athletes, prohibit school logos and certain endorsements, and require contracts to lapse shortly after high‑school completion so students must renegotiate at the collegiate/professional level.
Representative Brent Cox introduced House Bill 383, the "Georgia High School NIL Protection Act," saying the measure would put into statute practices already used by athletic associations and "protect these student athletes." The bill would prohibit use of school logos or mascots in NIL promotions, bar endorsements tied to alcohol, tobacco, vaping or cannabis, and forbid recruiting through NIL agreements. Cox said contracts entered while a student is in high school should be "null and void" shortly after graduation so student‑athletes must renegotiate terms at the collegiate or professional level.
Members asked whether the bill’s definition of high school should cover younger athletes who play up (for example, eighth graders on junior varsity or varsity teams). Leader Wade and other members urged consultation with the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) and legislative counsel; Cox said he was "open" to considering language changes. Several members also pressed whether the bill would cap the amount a student could earn; Cox replied there is no cap and that the proposal aims instead to prevent long‑term, non‑sunsetting agent agreements.
Robin Hines of the GHSA testified in favor, saying the bill largely reflects current GHSA policy and praising a provision that terminates student contracts at high‑school completion. Hines told the committee GHSA had recorded only about 150 NIL deals statewide over three years — largely small, local in‑kind arrangements — but that the risk of a few large, long‑running contracts justified the bill’s protections.
The committee moved a "do pass" recommendation for HB 383 and advanced the bill by voice vote. The transcript records a motion and a second and that members signified their approval.
What’s next: HB 383 will be scheduled for consideration by the full House committee. The bill’s sponsor and GHSA said they will continue consulting on grade definitions and contract language for student protections.