Arkansas HB1917: TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO ATHLETIC PROGRAM FUNDING

What the bill says

An act to be entitled an act to amend the arkansas student-athlete publicity rights act; to amend the law related to athletic program funding; and for other purposes. subtitle to amend the arkansas student-athlete publicity rights act; and to amend the law related to athletic program funding.

From the enrolled text:

An Act To Be Entitled AN ACT TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO ATHLETIC PROGRAM FUNDING; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Subtitle TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO ATHLETIC PROGRAM FUNDING. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: SECTION 1. Arkansas Code §§ 4-75-1303 -- 4-75-1305 are amended to read as follows: 4-75-1303. Right to compensation. (a) Except as prohibited in this subchapter, a student-athlete shall have the right to enter into a contract and receive compensation for the commercial use of the student-athlete's publicity rights. (b) An institution of higher education, its supporting foundations, or its authorized entities may identify: (1) Identify, create, facilitate, and otherwise enable opportunities for a student-athlete to earn compensation for the commercial use of the student-athlete's publicity rights; (2) Compensate a student-athlete for the commercial use of the student-athlete's publicity rights; and (3) Enter into an exclusive or nonexclusive license agreement with a student-athlete for the commercial use of the student-athlete's publicity rights. *CRH247* 03/31/2025 9:37:53 AM CRH247 HB1917 (c)(1) A charitable organization that qualifies as an exempt organization under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3), as it existed on January 1, 2023, shall have the right to compensate student-athletes for the commercial use of …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Matthew Shepherd (R, 97) · primary sponsor
• Bart Hester (R, 33)
• Brian Evans (R, 68)

Latest actions

1. April 17, 2025: Notification that HB1917 is now Act 839
2. April 15, 2025: Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
3. April 14, 2025: TO BE ENROLLED
4. April 14, 2025: Returned from the Senate as passed.
5. April 14, 2025: Returned to the House as passed.
6. April 14, 2025: Read the third time and passed.
7. April 14, 2025: Motion to Expunge the Vote by which HB1917 failed to pass. Motion Carried.
8. April 14, 2025: Read the third time and failed.
9. April 10, 2025: Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
10. April 9, 2025: Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE

Votes

• Senate Roll Call #1263 (April 14, 2025): 19 yea, 12 nay, passed
• Senate Roll Call #1255 (April 14, 2025): 16 yea, 11 nay, passed
• House Roll Call #1077 (April 9, 2025): 92 yea, 3 nay, passed
• Senate Roll Call #288 (February 19, 2025): 29 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate Roll Call #45 (January 23, 2025): 33 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Roll Call #37 (January 22, 2025): 100 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1917?

HB1917 is a bill in the Arkansas Legislature (95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)): TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS STUDENT-ATHLETE PUBLICITY RIGHTS ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO ATHLETIC PROGRAM FUNDING.

What does HB1917 do?

In its own words: An act to be entitled an act to amend the arkansas student-athlete publicity rights act; to amend the law related to athletic program funding; and for other purposes. subtitle to amend the arkansas student-athlete publicity rights act; and to amend the law related to athletic program funding.

What is the status of HB1917?

Chaptered as of April 17, 2025. Latest action: Notification that HB1917 is now Act 839 (April 17, 2025).

Who sponsored HB1917?

Matthew Shepherd (R, 97), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1917?

On the Arkansas Legislature website: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R&measureno=HB1917