This bill restricts an institution of higher education from entering into certain agreements without approval of the Legislature.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's public colleges and universities would be prohibited from entering into, renewing, or significantly changing agreements with private capital firms — such as private equity firms, hedge funds, or investment partnerships — involving their intercollegiate athletics programs unless the full Legislature first approves the deal through a joint resolution. These restricted agreements include arrangements that give a private firm an ownership stake, a share of athletics revenue, or control rights over how a program is run, such as the power to influence governance, appoint or remove decision-makers, or approve budgets and strategic plans; standard fee-for-service contracts, sponsorships, advertising deals, charitable gifts, and traditional debt financing would still be allowed without legislative sign-off. Universities would also be required to give the state auditor full financial records for their athletics programs upon request, and the Utah Board of Higher Education would be given authority to write rules to enforce these new restrictions. In practice, this means schools like the University of Utah or Utah State University could not partner with outside investors seeking a financial stake or operational control in their athletic programs without explicit legislative approval.
Introduction
Jan 21
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
IntroductionJan 21
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
This bill restricts an institution of higher education from entering into certain agreements without approval of the Legislature.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's public colleges and universities would be prohibited from entering into, renewing, or significantly changing agreements with private capital firms — such as private equity firms, hedge funds, or investment partnerships — involving their intercollegiate athletics programs unless the full Legislature first approves the deal through a joint resolution. These restricted agreements include arrangements that give a private firm an ownership stake, a share of athletics revenue, or control rights over how a program is run, such as the power to influence governance, appoint or remove decision-makers, or approve budgets and strategic plans; standard fee-for-service contracts, sponsorships, advertising deals, charitable gifts, and traditional debt financing would still be allowed without legislative sign-off. Universities would also be required to give the state auditor full financial records for their athletics programs upon request, and the Utah Board of Higher Education would be given authority to write rules to enforce these new restrictions. In practice, this means schools like the University of Utah or Utah State University could not partner with outside investors seeking a financial stake or operational control in their athletic programs without explicit legislative approval.
House/ filed
House file for bills not passed
House/ strike enacting clause
Clerk of the House
House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
House Rules Committee
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0297
Released
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0297
Version Sponsor
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM