LA28 Supports AB 2436 to Extend Resident Tuition for Team USA Student-Athletes

U.S. Olympic Team triathletes perform down proofing exercises in the pool (File Photo – picryl)

The LA28 Organizing Committee has announced its support for AB 2436, legislation authored by Mike Fong, that would permanently extend in-state tuition eligibility for Team USA student-athletes training in California.

By News Desk

The bill would remove the July 1, 2032, sunset provision in Section 68083 of the California Education Code, ensuring eligible Team USA athletes training in the state continue to qualify for resident tuition rates beyond that date. The extension would apply to athletes participating in elite-level programs approved by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

Co-authors of AB 2436 include Tina McKinnor, John Harabedian, Kate Sanchez, Nick Schultz, José Luis Solache, Rick Chavez Zbur, Lena Gonzalez and Laura Richardson.

“Supporting athletes means supporting the whole person,” said Janet Evans, LA28 chief athlete officer and five-time Olympic medalist. Evans said LA28 is committed to delivering an athlete-first Games and an athlete-centered legacy, emphasizing that access to affordable higher education is essential for athletes training at the highest level. She expressed gratitude to Fong for advancing the legislation, noting that the measure would guarantee opportunities for athletes beyond the 2028 Games.

Fong, who chairs the Assembly Higher Education Committee, said California’s public colleges and universities are among the most prestigious in the country and that the state has a responsibility to ensure cost does not hinder elite student-athletes from pursuing their educational goals while representing Team USA. He said permanently extending resident tuition eligibility strengthens California’s commitment to the long-term success of future scholars, athletes and Olympic champions.

The legislation maintains accountability measures requiring Team USA student-athletes to certify their participation in an Olympic or Paralympic elite-level training program through documentation from the USOPC and to submit verification to their campus.

For athletes currently training in California, the policy has already made an impact. Daniella Ramirez, a Team USA artistic swimmer and 2024 silver medalist, said continuing the legacy of in-state tuition support empowers athletes to pursue excellence in academics and sport. Ramirez, who studied and trained at the University of California, Los Angeles for the 2024 Games, said the assistance allowed her to focus on her studies and training without additional financial burdens. She noted that her team secured Team USA’s first Olympic medal in artistic swimming in two decades.

As Los Angeles prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028, LA28 said it will continue championing policies and partnerships that support athletes’ needs on and off the field of play — from competition conditions and wellness resources to educational opportunities and long-term success beyond sport.