The NCAA News - News and Features

October 13, 1997

State legislation relating to college athletics

This report summarizes legislation currently pending before state legislatures that could affect, or is otherwise of interest to, the intercollegiate athletics programs and student-athletes of NCAA member institutions. Set forth below is a list of three bills from three states. The bills that appear in the report are pending legislation in which action has been taken since the publication of the September 15, 1997, issue of The NCAA News.

The State Legislation Report is based largely on data provided by the Information for Public Affairs on-line state legislation system as of September 28, 1997. The bills selected for inclusion in this report were drawn from a larger pool of measures that concern sports and, therefore, do not necessarily represent all of the bills that would be of interest to individual member institutions. Bills pending before the governing bodies of the District of Columbia and U.S. territories are not available on an on-line basis and are not included in this report.

The NCAA has not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data provided by Information for Public Affairs and is providing this summary as a service to its members. For further information regarding a particular bill, members should contact the state legislature concerned.

The bills set forth in this report address the following subjects:

Subject -- Number of Bills

Alcoholic beverages -- 1

Anabolic steroids -- 1

Student residency requirements -- 1

Two bills have become law since the last report. In Alabama, legislation was passed that provides for an alcoholic beverage license permitting the sale of alcohol at public and private 18-hole or larger golf courses. In California, the governor signed a bill that entitles student-athletes training at the United States Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista to resident classification for the purposes of ascertaining fees at public institutions of higher education in California.

A total of 39 state legislatures have concluded their 1997 legislative session. Ten states remain in regular session. Kentucky did not conduct a regular session in 1997.

Alabama S. 36a (Author: Freeman)

Alcoholic beverages. Provides for a separate alcoholic beverage license for golf courses. Permits the sale of alcoholic beverages at both private and public 18-hole or larger golf courses. Sets annual license fee.

Status: 8/18/97 introduced. 9/3/97 passed as amended by Senate. 9/15/97 passed House. 9/23/97 signed by governor.

California A. 1317 (Author: Ducheny)

Student resident requirements. Entitles student-athletes in training at the United States Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista to resident classification for the purposes of ascertaining the amount of fees to be paid by students at public postsecondary educational institutions. States that the provision does not apply to the University of California unless the regents, by resolution, deem it applicable.

Status: 2/28/97 introduced. 5/29/97 passed as amended by Assembly. 8/7/97 passed as amended by Senate. 8/28/97 Assembly concurred with Senate amendments. 9/21/97 signed by governor.

Massachusetts S. 461 (Author: Lees)

Anabolic steroids. Regulates the use of anabolic steroids. Defines and adds "anabolic steroid" to the list of regulated substances.

Status: : 1/1/97 introduced. 9/17/97 passed Senate. To House.