Legis Daily

Student Athlete Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4177| Senate 
| Updated: 3/24/2026
Tommy Tuberville

Tommy Tuberville

Republican Senator

Alabama

Cosponsors (1)
Ashley Moody (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation establishes federal rules for student athlete eligibility in intercollegiate athletics, defining key terms like "grant-in-aid" and "transfer portal." It mandates that student athletes shall have 5 consecutive years of eligibility to play, regardless of injury or other events, superseding existing NCAA rules. The bill directs the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to set rules for the transfer portal, including specific notification periods for student athletes. Generally, a student athlete who transfers will be ineligible to compete during the academic year they enter the transfer portal, with a significant exception for their first transfer . The NCAA is also granted an antitrust exemption to establish these transfer rules. Additionally, the Act provides grant-in-aid protection , requiring institutions to honor their original financial commitments to student athletes, covering expenses like tuition, room, board, and health insurance. This protection transfers to the new institution upon a student athlete's transfer, though institutions can revoke aid if a student athlete is not in good standing. Finally, the bill preempts state laws that conflict with its provisions or limit the rights of student athletes, the NCAA, conferences, or institutions.
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Timeline
Mar 24, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • March 24, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 24, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sports and Recreation

Student Athlete Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4177| Senate 
| Updated: 3/24/2026
This legislation establishes federal rules for student athlete eligibility in intercollegiate athletics, defining key terms like "grant-in-aid" and "transfer portal." It mandates that student athletes shall have 5 consecutive years of eligibility to play, regardless of injury or other events, superseding existing NCAA rules. The bill directs the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to set rules for the transfer portal, including specific notification periods for student athletes. Generally, a student athlete who transfers will be ineligible to compete during the academic year they enter the transfer portal, with a significant exception for their first transfer . The NCAA is also granted an antitrust exemption to establish these transfer rules. Additionally, the Act provides grant-in-aid protection , requiring institutions to honor their original financial commitments to student athletes, covering expenses like tuition, room, board, and health insurance. This protection transfers to the new institution upon a student athlete's transfer, though institutions can revoke aid if a student athlete is not in good standing. Finally, the bill preempts state laws that conflict with its provisions or limit the rights of student athletes, the NCAA, conferences, or institutions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Mar 24, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • March 24, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 24, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Tommy Tuberville

Tommy Tuberville

Republican Senator

Alabama

Cosponsors (1)
Ashley Moody (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Sports and Recreation

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted