The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the House Committee on Finance on Feb. 25, 2026.
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Feb. 25, 2026, 2 p.m.
Hawaii State Capitol
Conference Room 308 and Videoconference
To: House Committee on Finance
Rep. Chris Todd, Chair
Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: COMMENTS ON HB2384 HD2 — RELATING TO STUDENT-ATHLETE COMPENSATION
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair and other Committee members,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii offers comments onHB2384 HD2, which would require the University of Hawaiʻi to adopt policies regarding name, image and likeness agreements and activities for student athletes.
Inasmuch as this bill seeks to clarify NIL rules and activities and make them more both transparent and accountable, it deserves praise. This is an evolving area that would be helped by greater clarity for both students and schools, though federal legislation[1] may soon change the landscape of NIL payments.
However, we believe it is important to note that the bill should include a provision clarifying that state funds cannot be used to compensate athletes. If the university decides to pay its athletes, those payments should come from third-party contracts, donations, revenues and other funding sources, not taxpayer dollars.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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[1] H.R. 4312 – SCORE Act, 119th Congress (2025-2026).
