2025 Regular Session - Day 25 - SB 3, Rep. Josh Branscum

thank you Mr Speaker Senate Bill 3 which passes Senate 380 is a key piece of legislation aimed at modernizing kuy's name image and likeness or nio laws this bill ensures our universities remain competitive and that our student athletes have every opportunity to succeed and this is very fitting as we come into the college basketball postseason in 2022 the general assembly passed Senate Bill six which established a framework for student athletes to benefit from their nil this position Kentucky is a leader in nil reform allowing our universities to track top talent while protecting student athletes rights however the landscape of College athletics is constantly evolving and we could all debate that whether nil and transfer portals um are good for College athletics however uh gentlemen from Warren 20 that is not what we are debating today the recent house versus NCAA lawsuit has introduced potential changes which is a prop a proposed $ 2576 billion Federal settlement expected to be finalized by April 7th of 2025 which is after we have adjourned and why this legisl this legislation is so important this may this may allow universities to directly compensate student athletes which is something not previously covered in our nil framework without proactive legisl legis legislative action Kentucky University's risk falling behind and Senate Bill 3 is our solution to stay ahead ensuring we remain prepared competitive in leading in the new era of College athletics three things uh C Bill 3 does alignment with national standards by updating Kentucky law to enable our universities to participate seamlessly in the emerging Revenue sharing models expansion of earning opportunities allowing universities to subl license student athletes uh nil to third parties opening new opportunities for our athletes to capitalize on an establishment of legal protections providing clear guidelines to ensure Fair compensation and it protects both student athletes and institutions importantly this bill does have an emergency provision and this bill does not apply to High School athletics no matter your opinion on nil this is the landscape that we are currently in at its core Cate Bill 3 is about empowering our student athletes maintaining University's competitiveness and reaffirming kuy's leadership in college athletics Mr Speaker I move for passage of Senate Bill three