HB 173
colleges can’t take gifts from China, Iran, North Korea, Russia
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to prohibiting public institutions of higher education from soliciting or accepting gifts, grants, or donations from certain foreign countries.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Only the governments, though. And no penalty if they take it anyway.
This bill bars Texas public colleges and universities from asking for or taking gifts, grants, or donations from the governments of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia, or from the government of any country that has given material support to a foreign terrorist organization. It touches every public institution of higher education in the state and lets the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board write rules to carry it out. Starting September 1, 2025, schools must turn away that money, though the text reaches only government entities and sets no penalty for a violation.
Labels
Labels: PENDING FOREVER. Heard by the House Higher Education committee on Apr 1, 2025 and left pending. Never voted out. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB173 · 2024-11-12
SOLD BY
+ 13 coauthors
ITEM
relating to prohibiting public institutions of higher education from soliciting or accepting gifts, grants, or donations from certain foreign countries.
WHAT IT DOES
Only the governments, though. And no penalty if they take it anyway.
This bill bars Texas public colleges and universities from asking for or taking gifts, grants, or donations from the governments of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia, or from the government of any country that has given material support to a foreign terrorist organization. It touches every public institution of higher education in the state and lets the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board write rules to carry it out. Starting September 1, 2025, schools must turn away that money, though the text reaches only government entities and sets no penalty for a violation.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version I · March 31, 2025
No first-year general revenue figure available here.
LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.
Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Higher Education
- Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Considered in public hearing
- Committee substitute considered in committee
- Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
- Left pending in committee
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
…“an institution of higher education may not solicit or accept a gift, grant, or donation from:”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill closes Texas public universities to gifts, grants, and donations from the governments of China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and terrorism-supporting countries, but the ban names only governmental entities.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 31, 2024 to Oct 29, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Capital One Financial Corporation Associates Political Fund$5,000.00
Capital One Financial Corporation Associates Political Fund
$5,000.00
- Cash
- $5,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $5,000.00
Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Dec 14, 2024 to Jul 14, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Jul 14, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101030508.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Capital One Financial Corporation Associates Political Fund
$5,000.00
- Cash
- $5,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $5,000.00
Also funds 1 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Dec 14, 2024 to Jul 14, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Jul 14, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101030508.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
LBB estimate · fiscal note version I · source
Sources
Fiscal note · version I · March 31, 2025
No first-year general revenue figure available here.
LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.
Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024
04/01/2025 H Left pending in committee
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Higher Education · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Education--Higher--Finance
Education--Higher--Institutions & Programs
Intergovernmental Relations
HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD, TEXAS
Text
The text as introduced · 182 words
89R5568 CXP-F By: Capriglione H.B. No. 173 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to prohibiting public institutions of higher education from soliciting or accepting gifts, grants, or donations from certain foreign countries. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.984 to read as follows: Sec. 51.984. PROHIBITION ON SOLICITING OR ACCEPTING GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. (a) In this section: (1) "Foreign terrorist organization" has the meaning assigned by Section 2252.151, Government Code. (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 solicit or accept a gift, grant, or donation from: (1) a governmental entity of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; or (2) a governmental entity of a country that has provided material support to a foreign terrorist organization. (c) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.