College Athlete Right to Organize Act

Summary

Classifies most college athletes who receive any direct compensation (including scholarships and aid that require athletic participation) as employees under the National Labor Relations Act, giving them the right to organize and collectively bargain across institutions and conferences. It amends NLRA definitions and coverage to include both private and public institutions for these athletes while preserving current tax, scholarship, and federal student-aid treatment of that compensation.

• Most college athletes who receive direct compensation conditioned on participation are defined as employees under the NLRA.
• Both private and public colleges and universities are covered for the purpose of athlete employee rights.
• Athletes gain the right to organize and collectively bargain across institutions and conferences.
• New statutory definitions clarify "grant-in-aid," "institution of higher education," "intercollegiate athletic conference" (excluding the NCAA), and "college athlete employee."
• Agreements (including scholarship contracts) cannot waive or sidestep the new employee and bargaining protections.
• The bill preserves current tax treatment and federal student-aid eligibility for compensation that was previously nontaxable or excluded from wage treatment.
• Severability language keeps the remainder of the law intact if parts are found unconstitutional.
• Congressional findings assert interstate-commerce authority to apply the NLRA to intercollegiate sports revenues.