Rep. Steube Introduces Student Athlete Act to Limit College Transfers and Set 5-Year Eligibility Cap
The Student Athlete Act of 2026 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently sent to the House Committee on Education and Workforce for review. The bill is actively moving forward as it awaits further discussion by committee members.
This bill was introduced by a single member and faces a long path through the committee process without clear bipartisan support yet.
College athletes face a mix of benefits and restrictions. The bill protects their scholarships and allows one free transfer, but it also imposes a hard five-year eligibility cap with no exceptions for injuries or personal hardships. Athletes who need a second transfer would lose an entire year of competition. For some athletes, the rigid clock could cut short their playing careers, while for others the scholarship protections and clear rules provide more stability.
“a student athlete shall have 5 consecutive years of eligibility to play intercollegiate athletics, regardless of injury or any other event.”
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
While advancing the Protect College Sports Act, senators debated the Student Athlete Act of 2026. The latter, proposed by Sen. Tuberville, seeks a strict five-year eligibility cap and limits on repeat transfers to prevent college sports from becoming 'unregulated professional free agency.'
Lawmakers are grappling with competing visions for college athletics. Sen. Tuberville’s Student Athlete Act was recently blocked in favor of a bipartisan compromise, but its core provisions—including a five-year eligibility clock and transfer restrictions—remain central to the national debate.
The Student Athlete Act of 2026 (S. 4177) proposes a 'Five-for-Five' eligibility model and limits on the transfer portal. By codifying these rules federally, the bill seeks to provide the NCAA with limited antitrust protection and preempt the current patchwork of conflicting state laws.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Student Athlete Act of 2026
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