HB 4788
Shofner Stem Cell Funding Bill Punishes Only Private Colleges
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
Why it's charged
The hole
THE TEXT
…“determines that a private institution of higher education has violated this section”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The ban covers public and private schools, but the only consequence applies to private ones. A public university that takes the federal money faces no penalty under this text.
The holeInitial 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 and private institutions of higher education from accepting federal funding for embryonic or fetal stem cell research.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Private schools taking the federal money lose state funds for a year. Public universities face no penalty.
The bill bars Texas public and private colleges and universities from accepting federal money for embryonic or fetal stem cell research. If the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board finds that a private school broke the rule, that school loses all state money for the next academic year, and its students lose their tuition equalization grants. Public universities are also told not to take the money, but the bill sets no penalty for them, and the rule starts with the 2025-2026 academic year.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 13, 2025 and referred to the House Higher Education committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB4788 · 2025-03-13
SOLD BY
+ 2 coauthors
ITEM
relating to prohibiting public and private institutions of higher education from accepting federal funding for embryonic or fetal stem cell research.
WHAT IT DOES
Private schools taking the federal money lose state funds for a year. Public universities face no penalty.
The bill bars Texas public and private colleges and universities from accepting federal money for embryonic or fetal stem cell research. If the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board finds that a private school broke the rule, that school loses all state money for the next academic year, and its students lose their tuition equalization grants. Public universities are also told not to take the money, but the bill sets no penalty for them, and the rule starts with the 2025-2026 academic year.
CHARGES
[x] THE HOLEanalysis confidence 45%
THE TEXT
…“determines that a private institution of higher education has violated this section”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The ban covers public and private schools, but the only consequence applies to private ones. A public university that takes the federal money faces no penalty under this text.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Higher Education
FILED UNDER
THE TEXT
“a student enrolled at the institution may not receive a tuition equalization grant under Subchapter F, Chapter 61”
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill cuts off state tuition grants for students at a private college that breaks the rule, which changes who qualifies for public money at private schools.
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 · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. 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.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$20,000.00
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$20,000.00
- Cash
- $20,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $20,000.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 8, 2026. 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: 101007132, 101027774, 101071421.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$20,000.00
- Cash
- $20,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $20,000.00
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 8, 2026. 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: 101007132, 101027774, 101071421.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
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 Mar 13, 2025
04/03/2025 H Referred to Higher Education: Apr 3 2025 12:38PM
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--Health Institutions
Education--Higher--Institutions & Programs
Education--Higher--Private Schools
Health--General
State Finances--Management & Control
STEM CELL RESEARCH
HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD, TEXAS
Text
The text as introduced · 251 words
89R17370 KJE-D By: Shofner H.B. No. 4788 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to prohibiting public and private institutions of higher education from accepting federal funding for embryonic or fetal stem cell research. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.994 to read as follows: Sec. 51.994. PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EMBRYONIC OR FETAL STEM CELL RESEARCH. (a) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. (b) An institution of higher education or a private institution of higher education may not accept federal funding for embryonic or fetal stem cell research. (c) If the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board determines that a private institution of higher education has violated this section, for the academic year following the academic year in which the determination is made: (1) the institution may not receive any state money, including grant funding; and (2) a student enrolled at the institution may not receive a tuition equalization grant under Subchapter F, Chapter 61. SECTION 2. Section 51.994, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year. 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.