A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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 NCAA Accountability Act of 2025 aims to establish due process requirements for the investigation of intercollegiate athletics. It requires covered athletic associations to provide specific written notices and timelines when investigating member institutions or individuals. The bill mandates formal hearings and allows for independent arbitration to resolve disputes regarding punishments. Additionally, it requires associations to submit annual reports to the Attorney General and State Attorneys General. The Act also grants the Attorney General enforcement powers, including the ability to investigate complaints and impose significant civil penalties.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +9
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill establishes rigorous due process requirements, including notice, hearings, and arbitration rights for accused parties.
- Scored +7
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands the authority of the Attorney General to investigate and penalize athletic associations.
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The mandate for annual reports to the Attorney General increases transparency in athletic association enforcement.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Due Process Protections: Covered athletic associations must establish and administer due process requirements for investigations into member institutions, student athletes, or other individuals (Section 2(a)).
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Detailed Notice Requirements: Institutions are entitled to written notice detailing the nature of an inquiry, including specific programs, persons, alleged violations, and time periods (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Rights and Resource Transparency: The notice of inquiry and the notice of allegations must include the rights and resources available to the accused (Section 2(a)(1)(D) and Section 2(a)(3)(D)).
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Limits on Investigation Scope: Notices regarding alleged violations are limited to those occurring not earlier than 2 years before the notice is provided (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Evidence Protections: Hearings must be conducted such that no information from confidential sources is offered into evidence or used to form the basis for a decision (Section 2(a)(4)(B)).
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Independent Dispute Resolution: Member institutions may compel entry into arbitration through a three-person panel for an independent review of punishments (Section 2(a)(5)).
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Fairness and Consistency: Associations are required to conduct proceedings in a fair and consistent manner, ensuring penalties are equitable based on the severity of the infraction and the institution's history (Section 2(a)(6)).
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Accountability through Reporting: Annual reports regarding enforcement and punishments must be submitted to the Attorney General and State Attorneys General (Section 2(b)).
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Mechanism for Complaints: The Attorney General will establish procedures for individuals and entities to file written, signed complaints regarding potential violations of this Act (Section 4(a)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Timelines for Investigations: Associations must provide a notice of inquiry within 60 days of determining an investigation is warranted and a notice of allegations within 8 months of that inquiry (Section 2(a)(1) and Section 2(a)(3)).
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Mandatory Hearing Timelines: A hearing before an infractions committee must occur not later than 60 days after the notice of allegations is received, and must commence within 1 year of the initial notice of inquiry (Section 2(a)(4)(A)).
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Substantial Civil Penalties: The Attorney General can impose civil penalties of not less than $10,000 and not more than $15,000,000 for violations of this Act (Section 4(a)(3)(A)).
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Removal of Leadership: An administrative law judge may order the permanent removal of any member of a covered athletic association's governing body in certain violation cases (Section 4(a)(3)(C)).
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Loss of Membership Privileges: The Act notes that membership privileges may not be impaired as a consequence of any rights granted under the Act (Section 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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill establishes rigorous due process requirements, including notice, hearings, and arbitration rights for accused parties. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the authority of the Attorney General to investigate and penalize athletic associations. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The mandate for annual reports to the Attorney General increases transparency in athletic association enforcement. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The act includes protections against the disclosure of information regarding ongoing investigations. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill requires associations to report to State Attorneys General, providing more oversight at the state level.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill protects student-athletes by ensuring fair treatment and due process during investigations. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Student-athletes, who are often young adults, gain enhanced due process rights during investigations.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The act provides regulatory oversight and due process that protects institutions and individuals from arbitrary enforcement by athletic associations.
- 3/11/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey