A bill that would clarify state ethics law for certain university employees engaging student athletes in activities regarding their name, image and likeness (NIL) was heard in the state House of Representatives this afternoon.
The House State Government & Tribal Relations committee heard Senate Bill 5913 today, sponsored by Senator Javier Valdez. The bill is in response to guidelines adopted by the NCAA in 2021 that allow individuals to engage in NIL activities. The wake of the new guidelines resulted in a variety of policies adopted by different states.
The Ethics in Public Service Act governs public employee activity and is currently ambiguous about NIL. SB 5913 would clarify that certain 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 within the discretion of the employee.
WSU has supported the bill this session, which advanced from the Senate with a near-unanimous vote. Brad Corbin, WSU Athletics’ Chief Compliance Officer testified this afternoon that athletics employees “…continue to see a demand for more hands on support of student athlete NIL activities. Student athletes routinely seek guidance within the athletics department but staff members are unsure what support they can provide.”
The bill will need a vote by the committee by next Wednesday, February 21st, in order to remain viable.
You can view Corbin’s full testimony below.