Representative Brent Barton from Oregon City presented a bill to the State House Committee on Wednesday that fines college coaches for violating NCAA rules and regulations. One of the prominent supporters of Barton’s bill is ASUO President-elect Sam Dotters-Katz.  

The bill would see that the state attorney general would fine coaches for legal fees for any major violations of NCAA rules and regulations. The bill was proposed earlier this year, but the language was slightly different. The bill’s previous draft targeted former coaches, including former UO football coach Chip Kelly. Kelly left the UO in January to coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, and Barton decided to change the language of the bill to current coaches, due to legal concerns.

“This bill is not about Chip Kelly, this bill isn’t about finger-pointing, and it’s certainly not about disparaging the University of Oregon,” said Dotters-Katz.

Dotters-Katz knows Barton well; he worked with Barton during his state senate race. Barton was also a supporter for Dotters-Katz when he ran for ASUO president this spring.

According to Barton, he’s not too certain if the bill will move forward for this year, but he’s confident that it will make strong headway within the future. However, Dotters-Katz has more confidence in the bill.

“We are confident that the bill will pass into law this session,” Dotter-Katz said. “The legislature has a history of advancing the national dialogue on important issues, by passing intrepid legislation like this.”