H.R. 4312Heading to a voteEducation
SCORE Act sets federal rules for college athlete NIL pay, blocks state laws
Data as of July 11, 2026
The SCORE Act creates one federal standard for college athlete NIL pay, overriding all state NIL laws.50-second read · 5 questions answered below
Decoded
What does this do?
The bill establishes national rules letting college athletes sign NIL deals and hire agents, while banning disguised pay-for-play payments and letting the NCAA and conferences enforce their own NIL, transfer, and eligibility rules without antitrust liability. Larger programs must offer expanded athlete support like post-graduation medical care, counseling, and scholarship protections, and schools with major media revenue face restrictions on using student fees for athletics.
Who does it affect?
College athletes, universities and athletic departments, conferences, the NCAA and similar national bodies, sports agents, and state lawmakers who passed prior NIL laws.
Why does it matter?
The bill would preempt all state laws on athlete pay, employment status, and NIL rights, shifting regulatory authority to a single federal standard and reducing states' ability to set their own rules.
What does it cost, and who pays?
Schools with at least $50 million in annual media rights revenue would be barred from using student fees to fund athletics, and all schools must publicly report how athletic fees are spent.
Where does it stand?
- Introduced
- House committee
- House vote — You are here
- Senate
- President's desk
Right now: it's headed for a House floor vote. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
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How it's being covered
Real reporting on this bill, labeled by each outlet's political lean.
- SCORE Act receives support from over 20 conservative groups as NIL reform fight revs up
foxnews.comDec 2, 2025Leans right
- GOP rep rips Big Ten commish after SCORE Act vote gets delayed
foxnews.comDec 4, 2025Leans right
- Rep Hakeem Jeffries questions SCORE Act motives, likens halted vote to Lane Kiffin’s LSU move amid NIL debate
foxnews.comDec 5, 2025Leans right
- 3 Senate Democrats team up with sports stars and unions to denounce House NIL bill
msnbc.comOct 21, 2025Leans left
- Trump sets sights on NIL regulation, SCORE Act at college sports roundtable, teases another executive order
foxnews.comMar 6, 2026Leans right
Lean labels describe the news outlet, not this bill or any party. Ratings by AllSides.
Official title
SCORE Act
- Introduced:
- July 10, 2025
- Latest action:
- December 1, 2025
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 916 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4312, H.R. 1005, H.R. 1049, H.R. 1069, H.R. 2965 and H.R. 4305. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4312, H.R. 1005, H.R. 1049, H.R. 1069, H.R. 2965, and H.R. 4305 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
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