Task force approves package of NIL recommendations including agent registration, high-school rules and study of athletic funding

A Board of Regents task force approved a set of recommendations intended to guide state policy on name, image and likeness (NIL) activity for high-school and college athletes, voting to include measures on agent registration, high-school safeguards, trust-account feasibility and an athletic-funding study in its final report.

The task force — which met for its final session and heard presentations from members and outside guests — backed a plan to expand athlete-agent registration, require registration and training, and provide an enforcement pathway for unlicensed agents. A task force member said the group is considering remedies that could deny compensation to unlicensed agents and classify certain conduct as an unfair trade practice so the Attorney General could pursue recovery for affected student-athletes. "An unlicensed agent might not receive compensation for putting one of these deals together," the member said during discussion.

On high schools, the task force approved a framework that would allow students to participate in NIL activities with written parental or guardian authorization and would specifically prohibit endorsements tied to certain industries — including alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, casino/gambling and adult entertainment — when those endorsements would conflict with school or athletic responsibilities. The presenters also recommended coordination with the state's high-school athletic association to provide consistent education and disclosure practices; the task force discussed reporting thresholds and recommended early disclosure and training for students and parents.

Members approved a recommendation to study use of trust accounts to protect large NIL payments to minors rather than immediately creating a statutory trust regime. Presenters described the proposal as a feasibility study to evaluate whether trust accounts or other structures could protect athletes who receive large sums (discussion referenced potential thresholds such as six-figure amounts) and to develop parent-education measures.

The task force also voted to include a study resolution to examine athletic-department funding and how institutions document NIL and revenue-sharing activities. Members said the study should identify steps, data needs and how revenue-share models relate to equity across programs.

On best practices, the task force adopted recommendations to prioritize student mental health, financial-literacy programming and transition-to-career education. Task force members emphasized the need to balance mandates with available resources; one member suggested offering a recommended elective or transition course that academic counselors could advise students to take.

The group discussed international students and immigration risk at length and recommended institutions treat international-student participation cautiously while awaiting clearer federal guidance and court decisions. The transcript records the task force’s decision to defer policy recommendations that could affect visa status and to draft a letter to congressional delegations asking for clarity.

Public comment included remarks from Percy Miller, introduced as president of basketball operations for the University of New Orleans, who urged expanded education for athletes and families to manage sudden income and the social stresses that can follow.

The task force chair thanked members and staff of the Board of Regents and the Attorney General's Office for their work; multiple motions to include the recommendations in the final report were adopted by voice vote during the meeting. The staff signaled a drafting timetable for the legislative report across December and January and recommended continued engagement through an advisory mechanism after the task force completes its formal work.

Votes at a glance - Approval of October 2025 minutes — motion passed (voice vote; individual roll-call not recorded in transcript). (SEG 053–061) - Inclusion of athlete-agent registration recommendation in the report — motion passed (voice vote; second recorded as "John"). (SEG 378–386) - Inclusion of high-school NIL framework in the report — motion passed (voice vote). (SEG 527–535) - Inclusion of college/institution policy recommendation (implementation by Aug. 2026) — motion passed (voice vote). (SEG 609–619) - Inclusion of trust-account feasibility and related protections — motion passed (voice vote). (SEG 731–743) - Inclusion of study resolution for athletic-department funding — motion passed (voice vote). (SEG 796–812) - Adoption of best-practice recommendations prioritizing student mental health and financial literacy — motion passed (voice vote). (SEG 1092–1101) - Inclusion of cautionary language and request for federal clarification regarding international students — motion passed (voice vote). (SEG 1197–1278) - Recommendation that institutions consider Title IX implications in revenue-sharing programs — motion passed (voice vote). (SEG 1279–1419)

What happens next: Staff said they will draft the legislative-report text in December and January and invited members to submit edits; the task force recommended forming an advisory mechanism to monitor market and legal developments after the report is published. The meeting adjourned after public comment.