HB 126 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the compensation and professional representation of prospective student athletes and student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletic programs at certain institutions of higher education.

HB 126 allows student athletes at certain Texas public universities to earn compensation for their name, image, and likeness (NIL) during non-team activities and to hire legal representation for NIL-related contracts. It prohibits institutions from restricting these NIL opportunities or blocking legal assistance for athletes. The law resolves conflicts with athletic association rules by permitting compliance with both state law and conference regulations. This becomes effective immediately as it was signed into law by the governor on June 5, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 10, 2025 Signed Jun 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 4 edits · Jun 5, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was finalized for signature by the Governor, adding a new effective date provision and a new subsection (k-1) that prohibits arrangements with student athletes under 17 years old. The text was also cleaned up to remove draft annotations and formatting errors from the earlier version.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains the same regarding student athlete compensation, but a new age-based restriction was added in the enrolled version.
TIMELINE

Added a default effective date of September 1, 2025 if the bill does not receive a two-thirds vote for immediate effect.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new subsection prohibiting arrangements with student athletes younger than 17 years of age.

TECHNICAL

Removed draft annotations, line numbers, and formatting markers from the earlier version.

Corrected minor formatting inconsistencies in the section headers and spacing.

Floor votes · House Apr 15, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
64
Key actions
19
Committee
12
Amendments
9
Jun 5, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 29, 2025
Introduced
House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
upper
May 29, 2025
Introduced
Text of Senate Amendment(s)
lower
May 29, 2025
Introduced
House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendments distributed
lower
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate passage as amended reported
lower
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
upper
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
May 27, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
May 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education K-16
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Committee
Referred to Higher Education
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
4 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors