Student-athlete bill endorsed by panel

The Senate Education Committee on Monday advanced a bill to allow athletes to be compensated for use of their names, images and likenesses.

House Bill 1671 by House Speaker Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado, has the support of top athletic department officials and coaches at the state’s largest universities.

Six states have already adopted similar measures.

If passed by the full Senate and signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, the bill will go into effect on Jan. 1.