BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1319
89R9986 KJE-D	By: Creighton
	Education K-16
	4/17/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Athletic scholarships are a critical component of higher education for many U.S. students who cannot afford the costs of tuition. These scholarships provide a pathway to academic success and career advancement, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds. By allowing foreign athletes to access the majority of these scholarships, the availability of opportunities are greatly reduced for American students, undermining the primary goal of non-revenue college sports, which is to provide educational opportunities for U.S. citizens. Not to mention, the deterioration of community and student support for certain programs and regional schools.�����������

Summary

Limit the amount of athletic scholarships per intercollegiate program to U.S. citizens to ensure public resources, including taxpayer-funded scholarships, are being used primarily to benefit American students.��

Direct governing boards at public institutions of higher education to adopt a policy that limits 25 percent of athletic scholarships to foreign nationals. The remaining 75 percent shall be reserved for U.S. citizens.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.9247, as follows:

Sec. 51.9247. LIMIT ON NUMBER OF ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO FOREIGN STUDENTS. (a) Defines "institution of higher education."

(b) Prohibits an institution of higher education, for each intercollegiate athletic program, from awarding for an academic year to students who are citizens of a foreign country more than 25 percent of the athletic scholarships, grants, or similar financial assistance conditioned on the student's participation in the program that are available for the program for that academic year.

SECTION 2. Provides that Section 51.9247, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2026�2027 academic year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.