The state House of Representatives has approved a measure to clarify state ethics law permitting university personnel more latitude in advising student athletes seeking to profit off the use of their name, image, and likeness.
The measure — previously approved by the Senate 47-1 and by the House 92-2 last night — now heads to the governor’s desk.
Senate Bill 5913 clarifies that public university employees in Washington are not prohibited from using public resources to advise, facilitate, acknowledge, or educate about NIL and student athletes seeking to benefit from it, if those resources are within the discretion of the employee. This follows changes to NCAA guidelines adopted in 2021 that allow student-athletes to participate in NIL activities. The Washington state Ethics in Public Service Act regulates public employee activity and is currently ambiguous in this area.
WSU has supported the bill throughout this session, which is set to adjourn March 7.