SB 222
bill making grad programs disclose banned research topics upfront
Filed
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Nov 9, 2026 · How we grade
Caption
relating to notice to applicants for admission to a graduate or professional program at a public institution of higher education regarding research prohibited under the program.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Applicants learn what they can’t research before enrolling. Starting 2028.
The bill requires public universities and medical and dental schools that offer graduate or professional programs to give applicants written notice of any research the program prohibits, including every topic the prohibition covers. The notice must be delivered when a student applies or is offered admission, in the same way the application or offer is made, and it must be posted on the school's website where the application information sits. It applies starting with admissions for the 2028 spring semester, so prospective graduate students learn about research limits before they enroll.
Receipt
The receipt
90R-SB222 · 2026-11-09
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to notice to applicants for admission to a graduate or professional program at a public institution of higher education regarding research prohibited under the program.
WHAT IT DOES
Applicants learn what they can’t research before enrolling. Starting 2028.
The bill requires public universities and medical and dental schools that offer graduate or professional programs to give applicants written notice of any research the program prohibits, including every topic the prohibition covers. The notice must be delivered when a student applies or is offered admission, in the same way the application or offer is made, and it must be posted on the school's website where the application information sits. It applies starting with admissions for the 2028 spring semester, so prospective graduate students learn about research limits before they enroll.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate
- Filed
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
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 1, 2024 to Jun 30, 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.
Skyview Development LLC$36,332.00
Skyview Development LLC
$36,332.00
- Cash
- $0.00
- Paid by others
- $36,332.00
- Total
- $36,332.00
Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 1, 2024 to Jun 1, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Jun 1, 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: 100987569, 101009506, 101058878, 101063137.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$20,000.00
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$20,000.00
- Cash
- $20,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $20,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Oct 11, 2024 to Oct 10, 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: 100987569, 101063137.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Skyview Development LLC
$36,332.00
- Cash
- $0.00
- Paid by others
- $36,332.00
- Total
- $36,332.00
Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 1, 2024 to Jun 1, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Jun 1, 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: 100987569, 101009506, 101058878, 101063137.
Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC
$20,000.00
- Cash
- $20,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $20,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Oct 11, 2024 to Oct 10, 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: 100987569, 101063137.
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 a super-expensive superintelligence, Nov 9, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas Senate · Filed Nov 9, 2026
11/09/2026 S Filed
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Nov 10, 2026 at 2:40 AM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Subjects
Education--Higher--Admission & Attendance
Education--Higher--Institutions & Programs
GRADUATE STUDENTS
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Text
The text as introduced · 313 words
90R1977 CXP-D By: West S.B. No. 222 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to notice to applicants for admission to a graduate or professional program at a public institution of higher education regarding research prohibited under the program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter W, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.845 to read as follows: Sec. 51.845. REQUIRED NOTICE REGARDING PROHIBITED RESEARCH. (a) A general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit that offers a graduate or professional program shall provide to applicants for admission to the program written notice regarding any research prohibited under the program, including all topics to which the prohibition applies. (b) Notice under this section must: (1) be provided to an applicant for admission to the graduate or professional program: (A) at the time the applicant applies for or is offered admission to the program; and (B) in the same manner in which the applicant applies for or is offered admission to the program; and (2) be posted on the general academic teaching institution's or medical and dental unit's Internet website in the location where information regarding applying to the program is located. SECTION 2. Section 51.845, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with admissions to a graduate or professional program for the 2028 spring semester. Admissions for an academic period preceding that semester are governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, 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, 2027.