Intercollegiate Athletes' Compensation for Name, Image, or Likeness AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-158-50, RELATING TO AN EXEMPTION OF AN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETE'S NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS COMPENSATION CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION MAINTAINED BY PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, SO AS TO REMOVE AN EXCEPTION TO THE EXEMPTION, AND TO PROVIDE THAT RECORDS OF AGGREGATE REVENUE FUNDS EXPENDED FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS REVENUE-SHARING PROGRAMS BY A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING EACH FISCAL YEAR ARE SUBJECT TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT SUBJECT TO EXCEPTIONS FROM SUCH DISCLOSURE FOR INDIVIDUAL ATHLETE PAYMENTS, SPORT-SPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS, AND NEGOTIATION RECORDS. - RATIFIED TITLEView full text View Vote History01/14/26House Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar without reference (House Journal-page 90)01/15/26House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Reese, Gilliard01/15/26House Read second time (House Journal-page 36)01/15/26House Roll call Yeas-111 Nays-2 (House Journal-page 37)01/15/26House Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day (House Journal-page 38)01/16/26House Read third time and sent to Senate (House Journal-page 1)01/20/26Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 10)01/20/26Senate Referred to Committee on Education (Senate Journal-page 10)02/11/26Senate Committee report: Favorable Education (Senate Journal-page 14)02/17/26Senate Read second time (Senate Journal-page 19)02/17/26Senate Roll call Ayes-30 Nays-13 (Senate Journal-page 19)02/26/26Senate Read third time and enrolled (Senate Journal-page 8)03/05/26 Ratified R 11203/11/26 Vetoed by Governor03/25/26House Veto overridden by originating body Yeas-88 Nays-22 (House Journal-page 27)04/01/26Senate Veto overridden Ayes-30 Nays-12 (Senate Journal-page 56)04/23/26 Effective date See Act for Effective Date04/23/26 Act No. 119
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill amends South Carolina law to require that records related to intercollegiate athlete compensation for name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, including revenue-sharing program expenditures, be subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Currently, documentation related to these contracts was exempt, but this bill removes that exception, making details about athlete payments and allocations publicly available, with exceptions for individual athlete payments, sport-specific allocations, and negotiation records.
Key provisions
- Removes an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act for intercollegiate athlete NIL contract documentation maintained by public institutions.
- Requires public disclosure of aggregate revenue funds spent on intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing programs.
- Excludes individual athlete payments, sport-specific allocations, and negotiation records from disclosure.
- The act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies retroactively to pending legal actions.
Who is affected
- Intercollegiate Athletes
- Public Institutions of Higher Learning (in South Carolina)
- Taxpayers (due to increased transparency)
- Media and the Public
- College Athletic Programs
Notable changes
- Previously, documentation of NIL contracts was exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
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