H-1554

AN ACT Relating to the registration of athlete agents; adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds it necessary to regulate the practice of athlete agents and athlete agent firms to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. The public has a right to be kept informed about the role of athlete agents. The purpose of this chapter is to help ensure that public information is available and that the integrity of interscholastic athletics is preserved.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) It is a violation of this chapter for a person to practice or represent himself or herself as an athlete agent or athlete agent firm without a certificate of registration as an athlete agent or athlete agent firm.

(2) It is a violation of this chapter for a person other than a registered athlete agent or an employee or representative of a professional sport team to directly or indirectly solicit an individual to enter into an agent contract or professional sport services contract or procure, offer, promise, or attempt to obtain employment for an individual with a professional sport team or as a professional athlete.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Department" means the department of licensing.

(2) "Director" means the director of licensing.

(3) "Athlete agent" means an individual registered under this chapter.

(4) "Athlete agent firm" means a sole proprietorship, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity that employs one or more individuals to act as an athlete agent on behalf of the entity.

(5) "Agent contract" means a contract or agreement pursuant to which a person authorizes or empowers an athlete agent to negotiate or solicit on behalf of the person with one or more professional sport teams for the employment of the person by a professional sport team or to negotiate or solicit on behalf of the person for the employment of the person as a professional athlete.

(6) "Institution of higher education" means a public or private college or university in this state.

(7) "Professional sport services contract" means a contract or agreement pursuant to which a person is employed or agrees to render services as a player on a professional sport team or as a professional athlete.

(8) "Student athlete" means a person who engages in, is eligible to engage in, or may be eligible to engage in any intercollegiate sporting event, contest, exhibition, or program in this state. The term also includes an individual who has applied for enrollment to an institution of higher education. A person ceases to be a "student athlete" as soon as his or her collegiate eligibility in the sport in which he or she is under scholarship has expired.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to a person:

(1) Who is related to the student athlete by blood or marriage; or

(2) Who represents or advises no more than one student athlete in any given year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. In addition to any other authority provided by law, the director may:

(1) Adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW as necessary to implement this chapter;

(2) Establish forms and procedures as necessary to administer this chapter;

(3) Register applicants;

(4) Hire clerical, administrative, and investigative staff as needed to implement and administer this chapter;

(5) Maintain the official departmental record of all applicants and registrants; and

(6) Set all registration, renewal, and late renewal fees in accordance with RCW 43.24.086.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. (1) An athlete agent shall file with the department a disclosure statement which contains all of the following:

(a) The educational background, training, and experience of the athlete agent with respect to practice as an athlete agent;

(b) The business name and address of each athlete agent firm represented by the athlete agent;

(c) A record of all felony convictions, or misdemeanor convictions punishable by imprisonment, of the athlete agent and each owner, partner, officer, or shareholder of ten percent or more of the stock of the athlete agent firm represented by the athlete agent; and

(d) A record of any sanctions issued to or disciplinary actions taken against the athlete agent, the athlete agent firm, or any athlete, professional sport team, or institution of higher education as a result of the conduct of the athlete agent or the athlete agent firm.

(2) An athlete agent shall file an updated disclosure statement with the department within thirty days of a change in the information required under subsection (1)(b), (c), or (d) of this section.

(3) Before entering into negotiations for an agent contract, an athlete agent shall give to the prospective client a copy of the current disclosure statement on file with the department.

(4) The department shall make disclosure statements available to the public for inspection and copying.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) It is a gross misdemeanor punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW for an athlete agent or athlete agent firm to:

(a) Induce a student athlete to enter into an agent contract or professional sport services contract; or

(b) Enter into an agreement whereby the athletic agent offers anything of value to an employee of an institution of higher education in return for the referral of a student athlete by that employee.

(2) It is a class C felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW for an athlete agent or athlete agent firm to offer money or any valuable consideration to a student athlete, whether or not the offer is to induce the athlete to enter into a contract.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The regulation of athlete agents is a matter affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying chapter 19.86 RCW. Activities of athlete agents prohibited under this chapter are not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business. A violation of this chapter constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice in trade or commerce for the purpose of applying chapter 19.86 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 1 through 8 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 18 RCW.