A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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
This bill, known as the "HUSTLE Act," seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code to create NIL investment accounts for student-athletes. These tax-exempt accounts allow athletes to contribute income from their name, image, or likeness into trusts. The legislation also implements reforms to the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act to regulate athlete agents. It introduces specific requirements for agent registration, fee caps, and transparency through athletic associations. Additionally, the bill establishes a private right of action for student-athletes to sue agents for violations.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +7
Would students be better off under this?
The bill benefits student-athletes through tax advantages, financial education requirements, and increased agent accountability.
- Scored +6
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill provides specialized tax-advantaged savings vehicles for college-aged student-athletes.
- Scored +6
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill protects student-athletes from deceptive agent practices and imposes a 5 percent cap on endorsement contract fees.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Tax Advantages for Student-Athletes: The bill allows for the creation of NIL investment accounts that are exempt from taxation, providing a way for athletes to save their income (Section 2(a)).
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Long-Term Financial Benefits: Athletes can receive distributions from these accounts that may be taxed at the rate applicable to long-term capital gains if they meet specific graduation or transfer criteria (Section 2(c)(2)(A)).
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Financial Education: Trustees of NIL investment accounts are required to provide educational materials regarding the benefits of the account, investment principles, and long-term financial security (Section 2(e)).
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Protection from Excessive Agent Fees: The bill imposes a cap on the fees that an athlete agent can charge in connection with an endorsement contract, limiting them to 5 percent of the contract's value (Section 3(a)(3)(c)).
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Increased Accountability for Agents: The legislation prohibits agents from using deceptive or fraudulent representations to entice athletes to enroll or transfer (Section 3(a)(2)(A)(8)).
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Legal Recourse for Athletes: A private right of action is established, allowing current or former student-athletes to bring civil actions against agents for violations, including seeking actual damages and attorney's fees (Section 4(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Taxation on Distributions: Distributions from an NIL investment account are generally includible in gross income and taxed as ordinary income if made before the athlete graduates or transfers to a non-participating institution (Section 2(c)(2)(A)).
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Penalties for Non-Qualified Distributions: There is a 10 percent additional tax on distributions that are not considered "qualified distributions," such as those not used for qualified expenses like higher education or career transition costs (Section 2(c)(3)(A)).
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Contribution Restrictions: Contributions to these accounts are subject to specific limits, including a cap based on dollar amounts determined under section 2503(b) and a time limit of five taxable years (Section 2(b)(6)).
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Complexity for Institutions: Institutions of higher education that elect to participate must comply with specific requirements, and revoking that election requires providing notice to all eligible athletes at the institution (Section 2(b)(3)(B)).
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 students be better off under this? — The bill benefits student-athletes through tax advantages, financial education requirements, and increased agent accountability. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides specialized tax-advantaged savings vehicles for college-aged student-athletes. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides tools for student-athletes to accumulate and protect wealth through tax-exempt accounts.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill protects student-athletes from deceptive agent practices and imposes a 5 percent cap on endorsement contract fees. Does this cut the tax on profits from selling investments? — Qualified distributions from NIL accounts may be taxed at the preferential long-term capital gains rate. Does this cut taxes for middle-income families? — The bill provides tax-exempt status for NIL investment accounts used by student-athletes.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill establishes a private right of action for student-s-athletes to sue agents for violations. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires athletic associations to maintain a searchable database of registered athlete agents.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — NIL investment accounts can be used for qualified higher education expenses.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill creates mechanisms for student-athletes to save and invest income for long-term financial security.
- 7/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/4/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
John CornynRepublican · Texas
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia