The State Legislation Report is based largely on data provided by the Information for Public Affairs online state legislation system as of April 20, 1998. 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 online 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 below address the following subjects:

Subject -- Number of Bills --

Anabolic steroids -- 1

Athlete agents -- 3

Athletics facilities -- 2

Athletic trainers -- 4

Sports officials -- 2

Tickets -- 1

Three bills have become law since the last report. In Iowa, the governor signed into law legislation that provides for the conversion of the existing athletic training advisory board into a full regulatory examining board. In Kentucky, legislation was passed that creates a new chapter of the Kentucky state code addressing assaults on sports officials and imposes criminal penalties against violators. In Virginia, a new law allows licensed physical therapists to provide services, without referral, to a student-athlete participating in a school or university-sponsored athletics activity.

Since the last report, five state legislatures (Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota and Nebraska) have adjourned for the year. Twenty-eight legislatures remain in session. Six states will not conduct a 1998 legislative session.

Sports officials. Adds amateur sports officials to the list of those exempt from coverage under the state unemployment tax, pursuant to the Alaska Employment Security Act. States that the legislation will become null and void unless the U.S. Congress amends the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (26 U.S.C. 3300-3311) on or before December 31, 1999.

Status: 4/9/98 introduced. To House Committee on Labor and Commerce.

Athletic trainers. Rewrites the qualifications for licensure and reciprocity governing the practice of physical therapy and athletic training. Requires that applicants for licensure as athletic trainers graduate from an accredited athletic training program. Enables the board to license those individuals who did not graduate from an accredited program but who have a college degree, successfully completed the internship process through the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification (NATA BOC), and have been approved to take the national examination by NATA BOC prior to July 1, 2004.

Status: 4/8/98 introduced. To House Committee on Government and Accountability.

Florida H. 4529 (Author: Committee on Business Regulation and Consumer Affairs)

Athlete agents. Deregulates athlete agents by repealing all provisions of the existing Florida athlete-agent statute.

Status: 3/30/98 introduced. 4/14/98 passed House. To Senate.

Florida S. 78 (Author: Childers)

Athlete agents. Exempts members of the Florida Bar from state athlete-agent regulations.

Status: 3/3/98 introduced. 3/25/98 passed as amended by Senate. To House.

Iowa S. 2269 (Author: Committee on State Government)

Athletic trainers. Provides for the conversion of the existing athletic training advisory board into a full regulatory examining board. Establishes requirements necessary for becoming a member of the board.

Status: 2/19/98 introduced. 3/12/98 passed Senate. 3/30/98 passed House. 4/6/98 signed by governor.

Kentucky H. 90 (Author: Cave)

Sports officials. Creates a new chapter of the Kentucky state code making it a crime to assault a sports official. Establishes criminal penalties for violations of the act: Class A misdemeanor for first offense and a Class D felony for a second or subsequent offense.

Status: 1/6/98 introduced. 2/20/98 passed House. 3/25/98 passed as amended by Senate. 3/31/98 House concurred in Senate amendments. 4/10/98 signed by governor.

Athletics facilities. Changes the name of Grambling State University's "Robinson Stadium" to "Eddie G. Robinson Stadium."

Status: 3/23/98 introduced. 3/30/98 passed House. 4/8/98 passed Senate. 4/14/98 to governor.

Maryland H. 110 (Author: Rosenberg)

Athlete agents. Amends the Maryland Sports Agent Act. Expands the definition of "local athlete" to include anyone who is or was member of a high-school team in the state. Eliminates the provision that requires that a "local athlete" reside in the state.

Status: 1/16/98 introduced. 3/23/98 passed as amended by House. 4/8/98 passed Senate.

Athletics facilities. Removes restrictions and permits a publicly owned civic center, community center, arena, stadium, or park to compete or bid to serve as the venue for a civic, cultural, commercial, educational, entertainment, sports, or other event.

Status: 4/9/98 introduced. To Senate Committee on Local and Metropolitan Government.

Anabolic steroids. Extends the expiration date, until June 1, 2000, of provisions authorizing the commissioner of health to reclassify anabolic steroids.

Status: 4/8/98 introduced. To Senate Committee on Health.

Tickets. Permits a board of township trustees to adopt a resolution to regulate the resale of tickets to sporting events or other public amusements in the unincorporated area of the township. Provides for a fine not to exceed $100 for each violation of the resolution. Allows for injunctive relief in connection with the act or practice that violates the resolution.

Status: 4/7/98 introduced. To Senate Committee on Reference.

Vermont H. 359 (Author: Vinton)

Athletic trainers. Provides for the certification of athletic trainers. Imposes misdemeanor criminal penalties and/or a fine of not more than $1,000 for those who refer to themselves as "certified athletic trainer" but are not certified in accordance with the act. Authorizes the secretary of state to appoint two athletic trainers for three-year terms to serve as advisors in matters relating to athletic training. Defines unprofessional conduct standards and states that any such action will result in a denial or revocation of certification.

Status: 2/19/97 introduced. 3/31/98 passed as amended by House. 4/10/98 passed Senate.

Virginia S. 550 (Author: Woods)

Athletic trainers/physical therapists. Allows licensed physical therapists to provide services, without referral, to a student-athlete participating in a school or university-sponsored athletics activity. Requires that a physical therapist only be permitted to provide services to a student-athlete, without referral, when he or she has been certified as an athletic trainer by the National Athletic Training Association or as a sports certified specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

Status: 1/26/98 introduced. 2/16/98 passed as amended by Senate. 3/6/98 passed House. 4/9/98 signed by governor.