STAND. COM. REP. NO. 250-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2384

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2384 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT-ATHLETE COMPENSATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Affirm student-athletes' rights to engage in name, image, and likeness activities for compensation;

(2) Require the University of Hawaii to adopt policies governing institutional name, image, and likeness agreements and other aspects of such activity;

(3) Establish certain transparency and accountability requirements in the administration of institutional name, image, and likeness activities;

(4) Provide protections and educational support for student-athletes who enter into name, image, and likeness agreements; and

(5) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Athletics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; MK Advocacy Group, LLC; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that national changes in college athletics resulting from the settlement in the House, et al. v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, et al. litigation and subsequent National Collegiate Athletic Association rule revisions now permit institutions of higher education to provide direct financial compensation to student—athletes for use of their name, image, and likeness. While more than thirty states have enacted name, image, and likeness laws the environment governing this area is rapidly changing. This measure will establish a modern, flexible framework to protect student-athletes, ensure compliance with Title IX, and promote transparency and accountability when public resources are involved.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that this measure is a matter of statewide concern;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2384, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2384, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair