A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "HUSTLE Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to create NIL investment accounts for student-athletes. These accounts allow eligible athletes at participating colleges to save income earned from their name, image, and likeness. Contributions to these accounts can be excluded from gross income and self-employment taxes. Funds can be withdrawn with preferential tax treatment after graduation or certain transfers. The bill also allows for the conversion of these accounts into retirement accounts after the athlete is no longer eligible.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Provides significant tax advantages for student-athletes to save and invest NIL earnings.
- Scored +7
Would students be better off under this?
Specifically benefits student-athletes by providing tax-advantaged savings vehicles.
- Scored +2
Does this make college cost less?
Allows penalty-free use of NIL funds for qualified higher education expenses.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
Creates new tax exclusions for NIL income, which slightly reduces federal tax revenue.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Tax-Free Savings: Eligible athletes can choose to exclude qualified NIL income contributed to the account from their gross income and self-employment taxes (Section 2, subsection (b)(7) and (b)(8)).
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Preferential Tax Rates: Distributions made after graduation or transfer to a non-participating institution can be taxed at long-term capital gains rates rather than ordinary income rates (Section 2, subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii)).
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Support for Career Transitions: Athletes can take distributions without an additional 10 percent tax if the funds are used for qualified expenses, such as professional training, certification, education costs, and career planning services (Section 2, subsection (c)(3)(B) and (C)(i)).
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Education on Finance: Trustees must provide designated beneficiaries with educational materials on investing, financial planning, and long-term financial security (Section 2, subsection (e)(1)).
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Retirement Planning: Individuals who have not been eligible athletes for at least one year can convert their NIL account into an IRA, Roth IRA, or other specified retirement arrangements (Section 2, subsection (c)(8)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Tax Penalties for Early Withdrawal: Distributions made before graduation or those exceeding specific capital gains limits are subject to an additional 10 percent tax unless they meet "qualified distribution" criteria (Section 2, subsection (c)(3)(A)).
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Contribution Limits: There is a cap on how much can be contributed annually based on section 2503(b), and contributions must stop after the fifth taxable year of receiving NIL income while enrolled (Section 2, subsection (b)(6)).
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Retirement Conversion Cap: The amount that can be converted to a retirement account is limited to a lifetime maximum of $35,000 (Section 2, subsection (c)(8)(C)).
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Limited Access Based on Institution: The benefits are only available to athletes at a "participating institution of higher education," meaning those at non-participating schools cannot use these accounts (Section 2, subsection (b)(3)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides significant tax advantages for student-athletes to save and invest NIL earnings. Would students be better off under this? — Specifically benefits student-athletes by providing tax-advantaged savings vehicles. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Allows disability-based qualified distributions from NIL accounts.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — Allows penalty-free use of NIL funds for qualified higher education expenses.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Allows penalty-free withdrawals from NIL accounts for qualified medical expenses.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Provides qualified distribution exemptions for disabled designated beneficiaries.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Encourages long-term investment and savings for student-athletes. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Creates new tax exclusions for NIL income, which slightly reduces federal tax revenue.
- 6/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Brendan BoyleDemocrat · Pennsylvania