Education, Higher - As introduced, creates the public institution athletic program fund, which consists of proceeds from a fee paid by vendors registered with the sports wagering council; authorizes the Tennessee higher education commission to award grants from the fund to public institutions to assist with expenses for recruiting intercollegiate athletes. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 49; Title 9 and Title 49.

HB 1945 creates a new "public institution athletic program fund" funded by a 25% fee paid by sports wagering vendors to the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council. The fund provides grants to Tennessee's public universities (specifically four-year institutions competing in at least three intercollegiate sports) to cover recruiting expenses like travel, lodging, meals, and materials for attracting athletes. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission administers the fund, prioritizing local universities and distributing grants based on enrollment size, with unspent funds carried forward annually.