Nebraska lawmakers are considering two bills, LB742 and LB1046, that would change the environment of high school athletics in the state.
According to Nebraska Public Media, LB742 would permit seventh- and eighth-grade student-athletes to participate on high school athletics teams in areas where small and rural schools are struggling to recruit a full roster.
LB1046 focuses on student-athletes’ name, image and likeness. This bill includes a statewide standard for NIL, such as restrictions on endorsements for alcohol and nicotine, processes for reporting NIL deals, and oversight into contract details.
According to Rural Radio, both bills introduced by Sen. Terrell McKinney were reviewed by the Education Committee.
“I think we're seeing a trend, not only in the western — in rural Nebraska, but also in Omaha, we have some high schools that could barely field basketball teams and things like that,” McKinney said. “So it's becoming a larger issue, and I think this opportunity could help with that.”
Despite McKinney’s strong belief in LB742, several lawmakers pushed back, citing the risk of injury for younger students, potential bullying opportunities, and the mental readiness of seventh- and eighth-grade student-athletes to be competing with older players.
When considering LB1046, McKinney said, “Streaming services use student-athlete names to promote upcoming matches. If we weren’t changing subscriptions to watch these sports or to pay to watch them perform, I probably wouldn’t bring this bill.”
NIL is already allowed for high school student-athletes in Nebraska, but McKinney’s bill would add increased oversight and reporting workflows to ensure a fair and safe system for student-athletes.
If LB742 or LB1046 are voted out of the Education Committee, they face a shorter path to implementation than bills in other states, as Nebraska operates with a singular house of state legislators. It is the only U.S. state that uses a singular legislative body.
