HB494 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jack Williams
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Athlete Agents, student athletes, negotiating enrollment at specific educational institutions prohibited, criminal penalties, registration with proof of league players association required, commission authorized to issue reprimands and additional penalties, Secs. 8-26A-2, 8-26A-4, 8-26A-5, 8-26A-6, 8-26A-9, 8-26A-10, 8-26A-11, 8-26A-13, 8-26A-14, 8-26A-15, 8-26A-17, 8-26A-30 am'd
Summary: HB494 tightens Alabama's Uniform Athlete Agents Act by banning enrollment‑negotiation for compensation, adding league certification and bonding, expanding registration rules, and increasing penalties and regulatory oversight.
What This Bill Does
It would bar an athlete agent from negotiating enrollment at a specific educational institution for compensation. It would require certification from the sport's corresponding professional league players association, if one exists, and a bond if no association exists. It would revise registration requirements and fees, expand the Alabama Athlete Agents Commission's authority to reprimand and bar licensees after multiple violations, and add representatives from Birmingham Southern College and Samford University. It would also introduce new contract rules, notification duties to schools, record-keeping requirements, and stronger penalties for violations.

Who It Affects
Student-athletes would be protected from agents steering them to enroll at a particular college; they would receive contract disclosures, be notified about contracts, and have a 14-day window to cancel, helping preserve their eligibility in some cases.
Athlete agents and educational institutions would face new requirements (registration with updated information and fees, mandatory bonding or league certification, background checks, and detailed record-keeping) and face stronger enforcement and penalties, with expanded regulatory oversight including additional college representatives on the Commission.

Key Provisions
Prohibits a compensated athlete agent from negotiating enrollment of a student-athlete at a specific educational institution.
Requires certification by the corresponding professional league players' association for eligibility to act as an athlete agent; mandates a $25,000 surety bond if no such association exists.
Updates registration requirements, adds new information to applications, and sets registration-related fees (initial and renewal; out-of-state certificates).
Empowers the Alabama Athlete Agents Commission to issue letters of reprimand and censure and to prohibit licensing after a third violation.
Expands Commission membership to include representatives from Birmingham Southern College and Samford University.
Allows educational institutions to conduct background checks at their expense and share findings with the commission and related entities; requires certain disclosures and bonds tied to out-of-state actions.
Imposes detailed requirements on agency contracts (costs, services, duration, notice, and conspicuous warnings about eligibility; includes a 14-day cancellation option).
Requires 72-hour notice to athletic directors/head coaches and student-athletes about agency contracts and intended contact.
Mandates five-year record retention by athletes agents and makes records open for inspection by the Secretary of State or the commission.
Establishes criminal penalties for violations (including felonies for unregistered agents and other offenses; fines and community service provisions for student-athletes), plus up to $25,000 in administrative penalties per violation.
Addresses local-funding provisions ( Amendment 621) by stating the bill falls within exceptions and does not require local 2/3 vote approval.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Athlete Agents