Student Athlete Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Tommy Tuberville
Introduced
Summary
Creates a national standard for student‑athlete eligibility and transfers. This bill would set a uniform five‑year eligibility window, designate the NCAA to run transfer‑portal rules, and preserve scholarship commitments while limiting conflicting state laws.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Stronger scholarship and aid protections
This bill would expand what counts as a school "grant-in-aid." It would include tuition, room and board, books, fees, and other personal costs up to the school's full cost of attendance. It would also include Federal Pell Grants and other state and federal grants unrelated to sports, certain school-funded health and disability insurance, and career counseling services. If enacted, the school that accepts a transferring athlete would be bound by the original grant-in-aid, and schools could still revoke aid if a student does not remain in good standing.
New athlete transfer and eligibility rules
This bill would make a student athlete who transfers ineligible to play during the academic year they entered the transfer portal. That restriction would not apply if it is the athlete's first transfer. The bill would also set a hard five consecutive year limit on eligibility to play, even for injuries. It would vest the NCAA with authority to run the transfer portal, set transfer-notice periods, and shield those specific rules from antitrust challenges, replacing existing NCAA transfer-eligibility rules on enactment.
Stops state laws that limit athletes
This bill would prevent any State or local government from making or enforcing laws that conflict with this Act or that limit the rights of student athletes, the NCAA, conferences, or schools. If enacted, the change would take effect on enactment and protect the Act's rules across all states.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Tommy Tuberville
AL • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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