The text as introduced · 362 words
89R4427 CS-F
By: Orr
H.B. No. 128
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain sister-city agreements between governmental
entities and foreign countries and communities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 795 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 795. SISTER-CITY AGREEMENTS
Sec. 795.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Foreign adversary" means:
(A) China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; or
(B) a country that is a designated country for
purposes of Chapter 2275.
(2) "Governmental entity" means a state agency or a
political subdivision of this state.
(3) "Sister-city agreement" means an agreement that:
(A) is between a governmental entity and a
country other than the United States or a community located in a
country other than the United States;
(B) is recognized by a nonprofit organization
exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3),
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that serves as the national
membership organization for individual sister cities, counties,
and states across the United States; and
(C) reflects a commitment to foster and
strengthen opportunities for cultural and educational exchange
programs and tourism and to encourage other types of bilateral
cooperation between the parties to the agreement.
(4) "State agency" has the meaning assigned by Section
751.001.
Sec. 795.002. STATE POLICY REGARDING AGREEMENTS. It is the
policy of this state to encourage sister-city agreements between
governmental entities and countries that are allies of the United
States, including countries designated as major non-NATO allies
under federal law and the Republic of China, commonly known as
Taiwan, and communities located in those countries.
Sec. 795.003. CERTAIN AGREEMENTS PROHIBITED. A
governmental entity may not establish, maintain, or renew a
sister-city agreement with:
(1) a country that is a foreign adversary; or
(2) a community located in a country described by
Subdivision (1).
Sec. 795.004. WITHDRAWAL FROM CERTAIN EXISTING AGREEMENTS.
(a) A governmental entity that on September 1, 2025, is a party to a
sister-city agreement described by Section 795.003 shall withdraw
from the agreement not later than October 1, 2025.
(b) This section expires January 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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