The state Senate today approved legislation that would authorize certain university employees to provide greater guidance to student athletes seeking to benefit from the use of the name, image and likeness.
Senate Bill 5913 was approved 47-1 and now heads to the House. WSU testified in support of the bill earlier this month. The measure was advanced by WSU and the University of Washington to clarify state ethics rules about how athletic department employees are allowed to engage with student athletes seeking or being approached by potential clients. It would clarify that public university employees in Washington are not prohibited from using public resources in advising, facilitation, acknowledgement or education pertaining to NIL and student athletes seeking to benefit from it so long as those resources are under the direction of the university employee.
The bill further states that NIL policies shall not run afoul of guidelines established by the National Collegiate Athletics Association, allowing policies in Washington to evolve as NCAA policies evolve.
The bill now needs to be given a hearing and voted out of its policy committee in the House by Feb. 21 to remain viable.