HB 1381
AN ACT relating to contracts with and the acceptance of money from certain
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Prohibits Texas public higher education institutions from entering into contracts or accepting gifts, grants, or donations from countries or entities designated as "countries of particular concern" by the U.S. State Department under the International Religious Freedom Act. The legislation targets institutions like public universities and colleges, preventing them from receiving financial support or engaging in agreements with specific foreign entities deemed problematic by the U.S. government. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will be responsible for implementing and enforcing these restrictions, which will apply to new contracts from the bill's effective date.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to contracts with and the acceptance of money from certain foreign entities by public institutions of higher education. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.985 to read as follows: Sec. 51.985. PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTS WITH OR ACCEPTANCE OF MONEY FROM CERTAIN FOREIGN ENTITIES. (a) In this section: (1) "Designated country or entity" means a country or entity designated as a country of particular concern, a special watch list country, or an entity of particular concern in the United States secretary of state's most recent designations under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. Section 6401 (2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning (b) Notwithstanding any other law, an institution of higher education may not enter into a contract with or accept a gift, grant, or donation from a designated country or entity. (c) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section. SECTION 2. Section 51.985, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a contract entered into on or after the effective date of this Act. A contract entered into before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the contract was entered into, and the former law is continued in effect for that SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to contracts with and the acceptance of money from certain
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