OK
Oklahoma House Bill HB1017

Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB1017 Compare Versions

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29-SENATE FLOOR VERSION
30-April 16, 2025
31-AS AMENDED
32-
3352 ENGROSSED HOUSE
34-BILL NO. 1017 By: Moore, Boles, and Deck of
35-the House
53+BILL NO. 1017 By: Moore and Boles of the
54+House
3655
3756 and
3857
39- Rader and Pederson of the
40-Senate
58+ Rader of the Senate
4159
4260
4361
4462
45-[ college sports - legislative intent - Commission -
46-study - report - consultants - Revolving Fund -
47-expenditures - funding sources - codification -
48- emergency ]
63+
64+
65+
66+An Act relating to college sports; enacting the
67+Oklahoma College Athletic Conference Act; providing
68+legislative intent; defining terms; establishing the
69+Oklahoma NCAA Division II Athletic Conference
70+Exploration Commission; providing for membership;
71+providing for chairperson; requiring certain study to
72+be conducted by commission; requiring submission of
73+report; authorizing commission to contract with
74+independent consultants; authorizing commission to
75+consult NCAA; requiring submission of final report;
76+creating the Oklahoma NCAA Division II Athletic
77+Conference Exploration Commission Revolving Fund;
78+authorizing certain expenditures; requiring
79+commission to explore certain funding sources;
80+providing for codification; and declaring an
81+emergency.
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5386 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
5487 SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
5588 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Sectio n 9101 of Title 70, unless there
5689 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
5790 This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma
5891 College Athletic Conference Act ".
59-SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
60-in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 9102 of Title 70, unless there
61-is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
62-The purpose of this legislation is to establish a new
63-intercollegiate athletic conference, with name to be determined, to
64-promote and regulate college athletics among member institutions
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142+SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codi fied
143+in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 9102 of Title 70, unless there
144+is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
145+The purpose of this legislation is to establish a new
146+intercollegiate athletic conference, with name to be determined, to
147+promote and regulate college athletics among member institutions
92148 within the state. This conference will provide enhanced athletic
93149 competition, foster community and state pride, support student -
94150 athlete experience by giving more time in classroom and creating
95151 higher graduation rates, reduction of university athletic budgets
96152 due to less travel, provide better in-state rivalries to enhance
97153 student and spectator experience, allow better in -state recruiting
98154 thus keeping Oklahoma students in Oklahoma, and ensure compl iance
99155 with both state and federal regulations governing college athletics.
100156 SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
101157 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 9103 of Title 70, unless there
102158 is created a duplication in numberi ng, reads as follows:
103159 As used in the Oklahoma College Athletic Conference Act:
104160 1. "Commission" means the body established under this act to
105161 explore the creation of a new NCAA Division II athletic conference
106162 in this state;
107163 2. "NCAA" means the National Col legiate Athletic Association;
108164 3. "NCAA Division II" means the governing body for
109165 intercollegiate athletics for NCAA -member institutions that compete
110-at the Division II level, which balances athletics, academics, and
111-extracurricular activities;
112-4. "Member Institutions" means accredited colleges and
113-universities that would be potential me mbers of the new NCAA
114-Division II conference;
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216+at the Division II level, which balances athletics, academics, and
217+extracurricular activities;
218+4. "Member Institutions" means accredited colleges and
219+universities that would be potential me mbers of the new NCAA
220+Division II conference;
142221 5. "Student-Athletes" means individuals enrolled in member
143222 institutions who participate in NCAA Division II athletics; and
144223 6. "The Conference" means a collective body of NCAA Division II
145224 institutions that would form an organized athletic conference under
146225 the NCAA's rules and regulations.
147226 SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
148227 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 9104 of Title 70, unless there
149228 is created a duplication in n umbering, reads as follows:
150229 A. There is hereby created an Oklahoma NCAA Division II
151230 Athletic Conference Exploration Commission. The Commission shall be
152231 responsible for exploring and making recommendations regarding the
153232 creation of a new NCAA Division II athletic conference consisting of
154233 Oklahoma NCAA Division II schools and others to be determined and
155234 named at a later date.
156235 B. The Commission shall initially be composed of ten (10)
157236 members as follows:
158237 1. The president of Northeastern State University;
159238 2. The president of Southwestern Oklahoma State University;
160239 3. The president of Northwestern Oklahoma State University;
161-4. The president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University;
162-5. The president of East Central University;
163-6. The president of Cameron University;
164-7. The president of Rogers State University ;
165-8. The president of Oklahoma Christian University ;
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290+4. The president of Southeastern Oklahoma State Uni versity;
291+5. The president of East Central University;
292+6. The president of Cameron University;
293+7. The president of Rogers State University ;
294+8. The president of Oklahoma Christian University ;
193295 9. The president of Southern Nazarene University; and
194296 10. The president of Oklahoma Baptist University.
195297 C. Membership of the Commission may be expanded to include
196298 other institutional presidents by a majority vote of the initial
197299 membership of the Commission if deemed appropriate.
198300 D. The members shall elect a Chair person of the Commission from
199301 among its members, who will lead the Commission 's activities.
200302 SECTION 5. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
201303 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 9105 of Title 70, unless there
202304 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
203305 A. The Commission shall conduct a thorough a nalysis of the
204306 feasibility of establishing a new NCAA Division II athletic
205307 conference in Oklahoma considering the following factors:
206308 1. Potential member institutions, incl uding public and private
207309 colleges and universities both inside and outside the State of
208310 Oklahoma who voluntarily seek to join the conference;
209311 2. The academic and athletic capabilities of potential member
210312 institutions to support NCAA Division II athletics;
211-3. Geographic and logistical considerations for scheduling and
212-travel;
213-4. Financial impact and sustainability for potential member
214-institutions;
215-5. The effects on student -athletes, including opportunities for
216-academic and athletic growth, recruitment, and competit ion; and
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363+3. Geographic and logistical considerations for scheduling and
364+travel;
365+4. Financial impact and sustainability for potential member
366+institutions;
367+5. The effects on student -athletes, including opportunities for
368+academic and athletic growth, recruitment, and competition; and
244369 6. Potential community, regional, and economic benefits,
245370 including sponsorships, fan engagement, and media exposure; and
246371 7. Alignment with NCAA Division II regulations, policies, and
247372 goals.
248373 B. The Commission shall consult with a ran ge of stakeholders
249374 including, but not limited to:
250375 1. NCAA Division II representativ es and governing bodies;
251376 2. Athletic directors, coaches, and administrators from current
252377 NCAA Division II institutions in the region;
253378 3. Student-athletes and athletic sup port staff;
254379 4. Local government officials and business leaders;
255380 5. Academic and athletic organizations that focus on the
256381 interests of Division II athletics;
257382 C. 1. The Commission shall prepare and submit a detailed
258383 feasibility report to the Oklahoma Hou se of Representatives and the
259384 Oklahoma State Senate within twelve (12) months of its first
260385 meeting.
261386 2. The report shall include:
262-a. a summary of findings from the study and
263-consultations,
264-b. a comprehensive analysis of the benefits, costs, and
265-risks associated with e stablishing a new NCAA Division
266-II athletic conference,
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437+a. a summary of findings from the study and
438+consultations,
439+b. a comprehensive analysis of the benefits, costs, and
440+risks associated with establishing a new NCAA Division
441+II athletic conference,
294442 c. a list of potential member institutions, including any
295443 recommendations for institutions that should be
296444 invited to join,
297445 d. a proposed timeline and framework for transitioning
298446 into a new athletic conference, including governance
299447 structures, policies, and membership guid elines, and
300448 e. an assessment of funding and financial models to
301449 support the new conference, including membership fees,
302450 sponsorship, and broadcasting rights.
303451 SECTION 6. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
304452 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 9106 of Title 70, unless there
305453 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
306454 A. The Commission is authorized to hire independent
307455 consultants, conduct studies, and enter into contracts with experts
308456 in areas such as NCAA regulatio ns, athletic conference operations,
309457 and financial modeling to assist in the creation of its final
310458 report.
311-B. The Commission may engage with the NCAA to ensure that any
312-proposed conference structure aligns with NCAA Division II standards
313-and policies.
314-SECTION 7. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
315-in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 9107 of Title 70, unless there
316-is created a duplication in numbering, rea ds as follows:
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509+B. The Commission may engage with the NCAA to ensure that any
510+proposed conference structure aligns with NCAA Division II standards
511+and policies.
512+SECTION 7. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
513+in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 9107 of Title 70, unless there
514+is created a duplication in nu mbering, reads as follows:
344515 Upon completion of the study, the Commission shall submit a
345516 final report to the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the
346517 Oklahoma State Senate with its findings, recommendations, and
347518 proposed action steps for the creation of a n ew NCAA Division II
348519 athletic conference. The Legislature shall review the Commission 's
349520 final report and recommendations and, if deemed appropriate,
350521 introduce legislation to facilitate the establishment of the new
351522 NCAA Division II conference.
352523 SECTION 8. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
353524 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 9108 of Title 70, unless there
354525 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
355526 1. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving
356527 fund for the Oklahoma NCAA Division II Athletic Conference
357528 Exploration Commission to be designated the "Oklahoma NCAA Division
358529 II Athletic Conference Exploration Commission Revolving Fund ". The
359530 fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year
360531 limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the
361532 Oklahoma NCAA Division II At hletic Conference Exploration Commission
362-from appropriations, gifts, grants, donations , and bequests. All
363-monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated
364-and may be budgeted and expended by the Oklahoma NCAA Division II
365-Athletic Conference Exploration Commission for the purpose of
366-implementing the provisions of this act. Expenditures from the fund
367-shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against
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583+from appropriations, gifts, grants, donations , and bequests. All
584+monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated
585+and may be budgeted and expended by the Oklahoma NCAA Division II
586+Athletic Conference Exploration Commission for the purpose of
587+implementing the provisions of this act. Expenditures from the fund
588+shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against
395589 claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of
396590 Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.
397591 B. The Commission may make expenditures from the Oklahoma NCAA
398592 Division II Athletic Conference Exploration Commission Revolving
399593 Fund to cover expenses related to studies, meetings, consultations,
400594 and other necessary activities. Funding that is not expended by the
401595 Commission may be used as necessary to perform the necessary
402596 activities to create the Conference. These funds can be used for
403597 both the initial operating costs of the Conference as well as fun ds
404598 required by conference institutions to pay fees to exit their
405599 current conference affiliation. Additional funding may be sought
406600 from private or nonprofit sources , if necessary.
407601 C. The Commission shall explore various funding sources,
408602 including partnerships with private organizations, sponsorships, and
409603 grants to help defray costs associated with the creation of the new
410604 conference.
411605 SECTION 9. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
412606 of the public peace, health or safety, an eme rgency is hereby
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413657 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
414658 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
415-COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON APPROPR IATIONS
416-April 16, 2025 - DO PASS
659+Passed the House of Represent atives the 4th day of March, 2025.
660+
661+
662+
663+
664+ Presiding Officer of the House
665+ of Representatives
666+
667+
668+Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2025.
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673+ Presiding Officer of the Senate