STAND. COM. REP. NO.  66

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 275

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 275 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIFORM ATHLETE AGENTS ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect student-athletes and educational institutions from potentially unfair and deceptive trade practices of athlete agents by regulating the dealings of athlete agents with students regarding agency contracts.

     The Uniform Athlete Agents Act, among other things:

     (1)  Requires athlete agents to register with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and to disclose current business information and any negative history such as criminal convictions, disciplinary actions arising out of occupational or professional conduct, and loss of licensure;

     (2)  Specifies conditions under which athlete agents may be denied a certificate of registration, or have their certificates suspended or revoked;

     (3)  Specifies the elements of an agency contract;

     (4)  Requires athlete agents to notify the student's educational institution that the student has entered into an agency contract; and

     (5)  Specifies prohibited conduct and classifies such conduct as a misdemeanor.

     The University of Hawaii and the Hawaii Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Education supported the intent of this measure.  DCCA opposed this bill.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 275 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

JERRY L. CHANG, Chair