What does Preamble of NCAA Accountability Act of 2025 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To establish due process requirements for the investigation of intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes,' aims to establish due process requirements for investigations related to intercollegiate athletics.

What does SHORT TITLE. of NCAA Accountability Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the NCAA Accountability Act of 2025.

What does DUE PROCESS REQUIREMENTS. of NCAA Accountability Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes due process requirements for covered athletic associations investigating member institutions, student athletes, or other individuals for alleged bylaws violations or failure to meet membership obligations. If an investigation is warranted, the covered athletic association must provide written notice to the member institution within 60 days, detailing the nature of the inquiry, programs and persons under investigation, alleged violations, and dates of potential violations. The notice is limited to possible violations within the past two years, but the association must promptly notify the institution of any new relevant information. Before enforcement proceedings, the association must provide a notice of allegations, including details of each allegation, potential penalties, and factors considered in filing charges. A hearing before the infractions committee must occur within one year of the notice of inquiry, with a prohibition on using information from confidential sources. Member institutions can compel arbitration for disputes regarding punishments, using standard commercial arbitration rules and a three-person panel. Enforcement proceedings must be fair and consistent, with penalties equitable based on infraction severity and institutional history. Information relating to ongoing investigations cannot be disclosed until formal charges are filed, but the member institution has discretionary authority to disclose information. Covered athletic associations must submit annual reports to the Attorney General summarizing enforcement proceedings, investigations, and punishments.

What does LIMITATION. of NCAA Accountability Act of 2025 do?

This section limits the ability to impair the privileges of membership for member institutions within a covered athletic association. Rights granted under this Act cannot be used to impair these privileges.

What does ENFORCEMENT. of NCAA Accountability Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes enforcement procedures for potential violations of the Act by covered athletic associations or their agents. The Attorney General must create procedures for receiving and investigating written complaints, as well as for evaluating annual reports. Investigations and hearings, if requested, will be conducted before an administrative law judge of the Department of Justice, adhering to 5 U.S.C. § 554. If no hearing is requested, the Attorney General's order is final and unappealable. If a violation is found, the administrative law judge may order the violator to cease and desist and pay a civil penalty between $10,000 and $15,000,000. The amount of the penalty will consider the violator's good faith, the seriousness of the violation, and any history of previous violations. The administrative law judge may also order the permanent removal of a member of the covered athletic association’s governing body. The Attorney General can initiate a hearing before an administrative law judge, and administrative law judges can compel witness attendance and evidence production via subpoena. The administrative law judge's decision becomes the Attorney General’s final order unless modified or vacated by the Attorney General within 30 days. Parties adversely affected by a final order can petition the Court of Appeals for review within 45 days.

What does DEFINITIONS. of NCAA Accountability Act of 2025 do?

This section defines key terms used within the Act. A 'covered athletic association' is defined as an interstate athletic association, conference, or organization with authority over intercollegiate athletics, administering such athletics, and having at least 900 member institutions. A 'member institution' is an institution of higher education that maintains at least one intercollegiate athletic program and is a member of a covered athletic association. The definition of 'institution of higher education' references section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of NCAA Accountability Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes an effective date for compliance with the requirements of the Act. Covered athletic associations must implement these requirements within one year of the Act's enactment.

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NCAA Accountability Act of 2025

Last updated: 3/11/2025 · Introduced: 3/11/2025

Author: Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes due process requirements for investigations conducted by intercollegiate athletic associations, including providing written notice, detailing allegations, and ensuring fair hearings.
The bill limits an athletic association’s ability to impair the privileges of membership for institutions and prohibits using rights granted under the Act to do so.
The Attorney General is empowered to investigate and enforce the Act, potentially imposing civil penalties and removing governing body members from athletic associations for violations.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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