I got curious about the SCORE act, which seems to be a serious effort to put some guardrails around NIL. Here’s what AI says about where the Act is now:
Here’s an updated look (as of early December 2025) at the status of the SCORE Act (Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements), and where things stand — including what’s changed recently.
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What the SCORE Act would do
• The SCORE Act (officially H.R. 4312) would create a nationwide federal framework governing how college athletes can be compensated for their name, image, and likeness (NIL). 
• Among its key provisions: it would bar colleges, conferences, or athletic associations (like NCAA) from restricting a student-athlete’s ability to enter into NIL deals. 
• It also would clarify that student-athletes are not employees, even if they earn money through NIL. 
• For schools with large athletic revenue (those generating at least $20 million annually), the bill would require them to offer benefits (counseling, medical benefits) and maintain a minimum number (16) of varsity sports. 
• The bill gives athletic associations authority to set and enforce eligibility, transfer, recruitment, and disclosure rules. 
• It would also preempt state-level NIL laws and standardize rules nationwide, and grant institutional/association protection from antitrust lawsuits under these rules. Proponents argue this creates consistency across the country, protects amateur status, and stabilizes college athletics systems. 
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Legislative Progress So Far (2025)
• The bill was introduced July 10, 2025 by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R–FL). 
• Over the summer (on July 23), the relevant House committees (Education & Workforce, Energy & Commerce) considered and amended the bill — then reported it favorably (narrow margin vote). 
• On September 11, 2025, both committees formally reported the bill (as amended) to the full House. 
• On December 1, 2025 the House Rules Committee approved a rule to bring the bill to the floor — meaning the House could vote on it soon. So at the moment, the bill is primed for a House floor vote. 
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Recent Developments — Momentum Has Slowed
• According to news reporting on December 5, 2025, the scheduled House floor vote was scrapped just hours before it was to occur. The leadership cited “unanswered questions” and some Republican lawmakers expressed concerns about how the bill’s rules would be implemented. 
• That suggests the bill’s progress is now on pause — at least temporarily — while backers try to firm up a coalition that can vote for it. 
• Opposition remains significant: many Democrats, some unions and labor-related organizations (e.g., AFL-CIO) strongly oppose the bill — arguing it grants too much power to the NCAA and could undermine athlete protections and rights. ⸻
What’s Next — What to Watch For
• A new floor vote could be scheduled in coming weeks — but that depends on whether sponsors can address the concerns raised by dissenting Republicans and firm up votes.
• If passed by the House, the bill still needs approval in the Senate — and given the contentious issues, success there is uncertain.
• Expect lobbying and public debate to intensify between universities, athletes, labor groups, and lawmakers.