Virdell Bill Cuts Colleges Off From Countries On Religious-Freedom Lists

The text as introduced · 298 words

By: Virdell
H.B. No. 1381

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

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

et seq.).

(2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning

assigned by Section 61.003.

(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

purpose.

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.