NY A05099

Grants the Public Employment Relations Board jurisdiction over institutions of higher education and college student athlete employees regarding all collective bargaining matters, representation issues, and labor disputes.

Defines "college athlete employee" to include any student participating in intercollegiate sports who receives direct compensation (including grants-in-aid) with compensation terms requiring sport participation.

Allows the board to recognize multiemployer bargaining units across multiple institutions within an intercollegiate athletic conference, but only with consent from employee representatives at participating institutions.

Prohibits institutions and conferences from requiring athletes to waive collective bargaining rights through grant-in-aid agreements or legal settlements.

Clarifies that the law does not affect federal tax treatment of scholarships or state tax withholding obligations, and includes a severability clause with automatic repeal if federal agencies or courts determine the law would jeopardize federal funding or compliance.