Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas House Bill HB1561 Compare Versions

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11 Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
2-Act 473 of the Regular Session
3-*CRH095* 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
4-
5-State of Arkansas As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 1
2+*CRH095* 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
3+State of Arkansas 1
64 95th General Assembly A Bill 2
75 Regular Session, 2025 HOUSE BILL 1561 3
86 4
9-By: Representatives Painter, Achor, Andrews, Barker, Beaty Jr., Beck, Bentley, S. Berry, Breaux, Brooks, 5
10-K. Brown, M. Brown, N. Burkes, R. Burkes, Joey Carr, John Carr, Cavenaugh, Childress, C. Cooper, 6
11-Cozart, Crawford, Eaton, Evans, Furman, Gazaway, Gramlich, Hall, Hawk, Hollowell, L. Johnson, Long, 7
12-Lundstrum, Lynch, Maddox, McAlindon, McClure, M. McElroy, McGrew, B. McKenzie, McNair, 8
13-Milligan, J. Moore, Nazarenko, Pearce, Perry, Pilkington, Puryear, Ray, R. Scott Richardson, Richmond, 9
14-Rose, Rye, Schulz, M. Shepherd, Torres, Tosh, Underwood, Unger, Vaught, Walker, Wing, Wooten 10
15-By: Senator Hill 11
7+By: Representative Painter 5
8+By: Senator Hill 6
9+ 7
10+For An Act To Be Entitled 8
11+AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING HIGHER EDUCATION; 9
12+TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION 10
13+ACT OF 2025; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 11
1614 12
17-For An Act To Be Entitled 13
18-AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING HIGHER EDUCATION; 14
19-TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROTECTION 15
20-ACT OF 2025; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 16
15+ 13
16+Subtitle 14
17+TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION 15
18+PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. 16
2119 17
22- 18
23-Subtitle 19
24-TO ESTABLISH THE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION 20
25-PROTECTION ACT OF 2025. 21
26- 22
27-BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 23
28- 24
29- SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 60, is amended to add an 25
30-additional subchapter to read as follows: 26
31-Subchapter 16 - Research and Education Protection Act of 2025. 27
32- 28
33- 6-60-1601. Title. 29
34- This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Research and 30
35-Education Protection Act of 2025". 31
36- 32
37- 6-60-1602. Purpose. 33
38- The purpose of this subchapter is to protect Arkansas's research and 34
39-educational systems from the malign influence of foreign adversaries. 35
40- 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
20+BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 18
21+ 19
22+ SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 60, is amended to add an 20
23+additional subchapter to read as follows: 21
24+Subchapter 16 - Research and Education Protection Act of 2025. 22
25+ 23
26+ 6-60-1601. Title. 24
27+ This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Research and 25
28+Education Protection Act of 2025". 26
29+ 27
30+ 6-60-1602. Purpose. 28
31+ The purpose of this subchapter is to protect Arkansas's research and 29
32+educational systems from the malign influence of foreign adversaries. 30
33+ 31
34+ 6-60-1603. Definitions. 32
35+ As used in this subchapter: 33
36+ (1) “Affiliate organization” means an entity under the control 34
37+of or established for the benefit of an organization required to report 35
38+under this subchapter, including without limitation a direct -support 36 HB1561
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41+organization; 1
42+ (2) “Agreement” means a written or spoken statement of mutual 2
43+interest in a cultural exchange agreement or an academic or a research 3
44+collaboration with a foreign adversary or an affiliate organization of a 4
45+foreign adversary; 5
46+ (3) “Contract” means an agreement for the acquisition by 6
47+purchase, lease, or barter of property or services for the direct benefit 7
48+or use of either of the parties; 8
49+ (4) "Cultural exchange agreement" means an agreement between a 9
50+foreign adversary or the State of Qatar and an institution of higher 10
51+education that aims to promote cultural and intellectual relations; 11
52+ (5) “Direct-support organization” means an organization that is 12
53+organized and operated to receive, hold, invest, and administer property 13
54+and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of a: 14
55+ (A) State-supported institution of higher education; or 15
56+ (B) Research and development park or research and 16
57+development authority affiliated with a state -supported institution of 17
58+higher education; 18
59+ (6) “Endeavor” means to attempt or to try; 19
60+ (7) “Foreign adversary” means: 20
61+ (A) The People’s Republic of China; 21
62+ (B) The Russian Federation; 22
63+ (C) The Islamic Republic of Iran; 23
64+ (D) The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; 24
65+ (E) The Republic of Cuba; 25
66+ (F) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; 26
67+ (G) The Syrian Arab Republic; 27
68+ (H) A foreign terrorist organization designated by the 28
69+United States Secretary of State in accordance with section 219 of the 29
70+Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA), including without limitation an 30
71+agent of or other entity under significant control of the foreign 31
72+adversary; or 32
73+ (I) An entity designated by the United States Government; 33
74+ (8) “Foreign agent” means an officer, employee, proxy, servant, 34
75+delegate, or representative of a foreign government; 35
76+ (9)(A) “Foreign government” means the government of a country, 36 HB1561
4377
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79+nation, or group of nations or a province or other political subdivision 1
80+of a country or nation other than the United States. 2
81+ (B) "Foreign government" includes without limitation an 3
82+agent of the government of a country, nation, or group of nations or a 4
83+province or other political subdivision of a country or nation other than 5
84+the United States; 6
85+ (10) “Foreign instrumentality” means an agency, bureau, 7
86+ministry, component, institution, association, or any legal, commercial, 8
87+or business organization, corporation, firm, or entity that is 9
88+substantially owned, controlled, sponsored, commanded, managed, or 10
89+dominated by a foreign government; 11
90+ (11)(A) “Gift” means: 12
91+ (i) A gift; 13
92+ (ii) An endowment; 14
93+ (iii) An award; 15
94+ (iv) A donation of money or property of any kind; or 16
95+ (v) Any combination of subdivisions (11)(A)(i) —(iv) 17
96+of this section. 18
97+ (B) "Gift" includes without limitation a conditional or 19
98+unconditional pledge of the gift, endowment, award, or donation. 20
99+ (C) For purposes of subdivision (11)(B) of this section, 21
100+“pledge” means a promise, an agreement, or an expressed intention to give 22
101+a gift; 23
102+ (12) “Institution of higher education” means: 24
103+ (A) A state-supported institution of higher education or 25
104+an independent nonprofit college or university that is located in and 26
105+charted by the state and grants baccalaureate or higher degrees; 27
106+ (B) Any other institution of higher education that has a 28
107+physical presence in the state and is required to report foreign gifts or 29
108+contracts pursuant to 20 U.S.C. §1011f; or 30
109+ (C) An affiliate organization of an institution of higher 31
110+education; 32
111+ (13) “Obtain or use” means any manner of: 33
112+ (A) Taking or exercising control over property; 34
113+ (B) Making any unauthorized use, disposition, or transfer 35
114+of property; 36 HB1561
44115
45- 6-60-1603. Definitions. 1
46- As used in this subchapter: 2
47- (1) “Affiliate organization” means an entity under the control 3
48-of or established for the benefit of an organization required to report 4
49-under this subchapter, including without limitation a direct -support 5
50-organization; 6
51- (2) “Agreement” means a written or spoken statement of mutual 7
52-interest in a cultural exchange agreement or an academic or a research 8
53-collaboration with a foreign adversary or an affiliate organization of a 9
54-foreign adversary; 10
55- (3) “Contract” means an agreement for the acquisition by 11
56-purchase, lease, or barter of property or services for the direct benefit 12
57-or use of either of the parties; 13
58- (4) "Cultural exchange agreement" means an agreement between a 14
59-foreign adversary and an institution of higher education that aims to 15
60-promote cultural and intellectual relations; 16
61- (5) “Direct-support organization” means an organization that is 17
62-organized and operated to receive, hold, invest, and administer property 18
63-and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of a: 19
64- (A) State-supported institution of higher education; or 20
65- (B) Research and development park or research and 21
66-development authority affiliated with a state -supported institution of 22
67-higher education; 23
68- (6) “Endeavor” means to attempt or to try; 24
69- (7) “Foreign adversary” means: 25
70- (A) The People’s Republic of China; 26
71- (B) The Russian Federation; 27
72- (C) The Islamic Republic of Iran; 28
73- (D) The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; 29
74- (E) The Republic of Cuba; 30
75- (F) The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; 31
76- (G) The Syrian Arab Republic; 32
77- (H) A foreign terrorist organization designated by the 33
78-United States Secretary of State in accordance with section 219 of the 34
79-Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA), including without limitation an 35
80-agent of or other entity under significant control of the foreign 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
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117+ (C) Obtaining property by fraud, willful misrepresentation 1
118+of a future act, or false promise; or 2
119+ (D) Conduct previously known as: 3
120+ (i) Stealing; 4
121+ (ii) Larceny; 5
122+ (iii) Purloining; 6
123+ (iv) Abstracting; 7
124+ (v) Embezzlement; 8
125+ (vi) Misapplication; 9
126+ (vii) Misappropriation; 10
127+ (viii) Conversion; 11
128+ (ix) Obtaining money or property by false pretenses, 12
129+fraud, or deception; or 13
130+ (x) Other conduct similar in nature; 14
131+ (14) “Partnership” means a: 15
132+ (A) Faculty or student exchange program; 16
133+ (B) Study abroad program; 17
134+ (C) Matriculation program; 18
135+ (D) Recruiting program; or 19
136+ (E) Dual degree program; 20
137+ (15) “Person” means: 21
138+ (A) Any natural person; 22
139+ (B) A corporation; 23
140+ (C) A business trust; 24
141+ (D) An estate; 25
142+ (E) A trust; 26
143+ (F) A partnership; 27
144+ (G) An association; 28
145+ (H) A joint venture; 29
146+ (I) A government; 30
147+ (J) A governmental subdivision or agency; or 31
148+ (K) Any other legal or commercial entity; 32
149+ (16) "Research" means a scientific investigation or development 33
150+that involves technologies, designs, or technical data considered 34
151+sensitive enough to potentially impact national security, and therefore 35
152+requires strict controls on the export or transfer to foreign entities, as 36 HB1561
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83-
84-
85-adversary; or 1
86- (I) An entity designated by the United States Government; 2
87- (8) “Foreign agent” means an officer, employee, proxy, servant, 3
88-delegate, or representative of a foreign government; 4
89- (9)(A) “Foreign government” means the government of a country, 5
90-nation, or group of nations or a province or other political subdivision 6
91-of a country or nation other than the United States. 7
92- (B) "Foreign government" includes without limitation an 8
93-agent of the government of a country, nation, or group of nations or a 9
94-province or other political subdivision of a country or nation other than 10
95-the United States; 11
96- (10) “Foreign instrumentality” means an agency, bureau, 12
97-ministry, component, institution, association, or any legal, commercial, 13
98-or business organization, corporation, firm, or entity that is 14
99-substantially owned, controlled, sponsored, commanded, managed, or 15
100-dominated by a foreign government; 16
101- (11)(A) “Gift” means: 17
102- (i) A gift; 18
103- (ii) An endowment; 19
104- (iii) An award; 20
105- (iv) A donation of money or property of any kind; or 21
106- (v) Any combination of subdivisions (11)(A)(i) —(iv) 22
107-of this section. 23
108- (B) "Gift" includes without limitation a conditional or 24
109-unconditional pledge of the gift, endowment, award, or donation. 25
110- (C) For purposes of subdivision (11)(B) of this section, 26
111-“pledge” means a promise, an agreement, or an expressed intention to give 27
112-a gift; 28
113- (12) “Institution of higher education” means: 29
114- (A) A state-supported institution of higher education or 30
115-an independent nonprofit college or university that is located in and 31
116-charted by the state and grants baccalaureate or higher degrees; 32
117- (B) Any other institution of higher education that has a 33
118-physical presence in the state and is required to report foreign gifts or 34
119-contracts pursuant to 20 U.S.C. §1011f; or 35
120- (C) An affiliate organization of an institution of higher 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
121-
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123-
124-
125-education; 1
126- (13) “Obtain or use” means any manner of: 2
127- (A) Taking or exercising control over property; 3
128- (B) Making any unauthorized use, disposition, or transfer 4
129-of property; 5
130- (C) Obtaining property by fraud, willful misrepresentation 6
131-of a future act, or false promise; or 7
132- (D) Conduct previously known as: 8
133- (i) Stealing; 9
134- (ii) Larceny; 10
135- (iii) Purloining; 11
136- (iv) Abstracting; 12
137- (v) Embezzlement; 13
138- (vi) Misapplication; 14
139- (vii) Misappropriation; 15
140- (viii) Conversion; 16
141- (ix) Obtaining money or property by false pretenses, 17
142-fraud, or deception; or 18
143- (x) Other conduct similar in nature; 19
144- (14) “Partnership” means a: 20
145- (A) Faculty or student exchange program; 21
146- (B) Study abroad program; 22
147- (C) Matriculation program; 23
148- (D) Recruiting program; or 24
149- (E) Dual degree program; 25
150- (15) “Person” means: 26
151- (A) Any natural person; 27
152- (B) A corporation; 28
153- (C) A business trust; 29
154- (D) An estate; 30
155- (E) A trust; 31
156- (F) A partnership; 32
157- (G) An association; 33
158- (H) A joint venture; 34
159- (I) A government; 35
160- (J) A governmental subdivision or agency; or 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
161-
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163-
164-
165- (K) Any other legal or commercial entity; 1
166- (16) "Research" means a scientific investigation or development 2
167-that involves technologies, designs, or technical data considered 3
168-sensitive enough to potentially impact national security, and therefore 4
169-requires strict controls on the export or transfer to foreign entities, as 5
170-outlined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export 6
171-Administration regulations of the United States Government; and 7
172- (17) “Trade secret” means information, including a formula, 8
173-pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process, 9
174-that: 10
175- (i) Derives independent economic value, actual or 11
176-potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily 12
177-ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic 13
178-value from its disclosure or use; and 14
179- (ii) Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under 15
180-the circumstances to maintain its secrecy. 16
181- 17
182- 6-60-1604. Disclosure requirements for past gifts. 18
183- (a)(1) An institution of higher education that has received directly 19
184-or indirectly a gift with a value equal to or greater than two hundred 20
185-fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) from a foreign adversary after December 21
186-31, 2019, shall disclose the gift. 22
187- (2) The disclosure of a gift required under subdivision (a)(1) 23
188-of this section shall be made to the governing board of the institution of 24
189-higher education within sixty (60) days of the effective date of this 25
190-subchapter. 26
191- (b) Unless otherwise prohibited or deemed confidential under state or 27
192-federal law, the disclosure required under subdivision (a)(1) of this 28
193-section shall include without limitation the: 29
194- (1) Date of the gift; 30
195- (2) Amount of the gift; 31
196- (3) Purpose of the gift; 32
197- (4) Identification of the person for whom the gift is explicitly 33
198-intended to benefit; 34
199- (5) Applicable conditions, requirements, restrictions, or terms 35
200-made part of the gift; 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
201-
202- 6 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
203-
204-
205- (6) Name and country of residence or domicile of the foreign 1
206-adversary; 2
207- (7) Name and mailing address of the disclosing entity; and 3
208- (8) Date of termination of the gift, as applicable. 4
209- (c) An institution of higher education shall maintain a public website 5
210-to disclose information on past gifts from a foreign adversary. 6
211- (d) For purposes of this section, a gift received from a foreign 7
212-adversary through an intermediary or affiliate organization, if known, is: 8
213- (1) An indirect gift to the institution of higher education; and 9
214- (2) Subject to the disclosure process described in this section. 10
215- (e) Upon a request of the Governor, the President of the Senate, or 11
216-the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governing board of an 12
217-institution of higher education shall inspect or audit a past gift or gift 13
218-agreement. 14
219- 15
220- 6-60-1605. Approval requirements for future gifts. 16
221- (a) An institution of higher education that has been offered directly 17
222-or indirectly a gift with a value equal to or greater than two hundred 18
223-fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) from a foreign adversary after the 19
224-effective date of this subchapter shall disclose the proposed gift to the 20
225-governing board of the institution of higher education. 21
154+ 5 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
155+outlined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export 1
156+Administration regulations of the United States Government; and 2
157+ (17) “Trade secret” means information, including a formula, 3
158+pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process, 4
159+that: 5
160+ (i) Derives independent economic value, actual or 6
161+potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily 7
162+ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic 8
163+value from its disclosure or use; and 9
164+ (ii) Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under 10
165+the circumstances to maintain its secrecy. 11
166+ 12
167+ 6-60-1604. Disclosure requirements for past gifts. 13
168+ (a)(1) An institution of higher education that has received directly 14
169+or indirectly a gift with a value equal to or greater than two hundred 15
170+fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) from a foreign adversary or from the 16
171+State of Qatar after December 31, 2019, shall disclose the gift. 17
172+ (2) The disclosure of a gift required under subdivision (a)(1) 18
173+of this section shall be made to the governing board of the institution of 19
174+higher education within sixty (60) days of the effective date of this 20
175+subchapter. 21
226176 (b) Unless otherwise prohibited or deemed confidential under state or 22
227-federal law, the disclosure required under subsection (a) of this section 23
228-shall include without limitation the: 24
177+federal law, the disclosure required under subdivision (a)(1) of this 23
178+section shall include without limitation the: 24
229179 (1) Date of the gift; 25
230180 (2) Amount of the gift; 26
231181 (3) Purpose of the gift; 27
232182 (4) Identification of the person for whom the gift is explicitly 28
233183 intended to benefit; 29
234184 (5) Applicable conditions, requirements, restrictions, or terms 30
235185 made part of the gift; 31
236186 (6) Name and country of residence or domicile of the foreign 32
237187 adversary; 33
238188 (7) Name and mailing address of the disclosing entity; and 34
239189 (8) Date of termination of the gift, as applicable. 35
240- (c)(1) Within thirty (30) days of receiving the disclosure of the 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
190+ (c) An institution of higher education shall maintain a public website 36 HB1561
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192+ 6 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
193+to disclose information on past gifts from a foreign adversary or the 1
194+State of Qatar. 2
195+ (d) For purposes of this section, a gift received from a foreign 3
196+adversary through an intermediary or affiliate organization, if known, is: 4
197+ (1) An indirect gift to the institution of higher education; and 5
198+ (2) Subject to the disclosure process described in this section. 6
199+ (e) Upon a request of the Governor, the President of the Senate, or 7
200+the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governing board of an 8
201+institution of higher education shall inspect or audit a past gift or gift 9
202+agreement. 10
203+ 11
204+ 6-60-1605. Approval requirements for future gifts. 12
205+ (a) An institution of higher education that has been offered directly 13
206+or indirectly a gift with a value equal to or greater than two hundred 14
207+fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) from a foreign adversary or the State of 15
208+Qatar after the effective date of this subchapter shall disclose the 16
209+proposed gift to the governing board of the institution of higher 17
210+education. 18
211+ (b) Unless otherwise prohibited or deemed confidential under state or 19
212+federal law, the disclosure required under subsection (a) of this section 20
213+shall include without limitation the: 21
214+ (1) Date of the gift; 22
215+ (2) Amount of the gift; 23
216+ (3) Purpose of the gift; 24
217+ (4) Identification of the person for whom the gift is explicitly 25
218+intended to benefit; 26
219+ (5) Applicable conditions, requirements, restrictions, or terms 27
220+made part of the gift; 28
221+ (6) Name and country of residence or domicile of the foreign 29
222+adversary; 30
223+ (7) Name and mailing address of the disclosing entity; and 31
224+ (8) Date of termination of the gift, as applicable. 32
225+ (c)(1) Within thirty (30) days of receiving the disclosure of the 33
226+proposed gift under subsection (a) of this section, the governing board of 34
227+an institution of higher education shall issue a final decision to the 35
228+institution of higher education on whether and under what conditions the 36 HB1561
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230+ 7 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
231+institution of higher education may accept the gift. 1
232+ (2) The governing board of the institution of higher education 2
233+shall reject a gift from a foreign adversary or the State of Qatar unless 3
234+there is an overwhelming state or national interest in accepting the gift. 4
235+ (d)(1) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall 5
236+develop: 6
237+ (A) A disclosure form; 7
238+ (B) Rules; and 8
239+ (C) Procedures for deciding whether to allow an 9
240+institution of higher education to accept a gift from a foreign adversary 10
241+or the State of Qatar. 11
242+ (2) A gift from a foreign adversary shall only be accepted if 12
243+the gift addresses an overwhelming state or national interest beyond 13
244+simply acquiring additional funds. 14
245+ (e) An institution of higher education shall maintain a public website 15
246+to disclose information on accepted gifts from foreign adversaries or the 16
247+State of Qatar. 17
248+ (f) For purposes of this section, a gift received from a foreign 18
249+adversary through an intermediary shall be considered an indirect gift 19
250+with the institution of higher education and is subject to the approval 20
251+process described in this section. 21
252+ (g) Upon a request of the Governor, the President of the Senate, or 22
253+the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governing board of an 23
254+institution of higher education shall inspect or audit a gift or gift 24
255+agreement. 25
256+ 26
257+ 6-60-1606. Disclosure requirements for past contracts. 27
258+ (a) An institution of higher education that has entered directly or 28
259+indirectly into a contract with a value equal to or greater than two 29
260+hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) with a foreign adversary or the 30
261+State of Qatar after December 31, 2019, shall disclose the contract to the 31
262+governing board of the institution of higher education within sixty (60) 32
263+days following the effective date of this subchapter. 33
264+ (b) Unless otherwise prohibited or deemed confidential under state or 34
265+federal law, the disclosure required under subsection (a) of this section 35
266+shall include without limitation: 36 HB1561
244267
245-proposed gift under subsection (a) of this section, the governing board of 1
246-an institution of higher education shall issue a final decision to the 2
247-institution of higher education on whether and under what conditions the 3
248-institution of higher education may accept the gift. 4
249- (2) The governing board of the institution of higher education 5
250-shall reject a gift from a foreign adversary unless there is an 6
251-overwhelming state or national interest in accepting the gift. 7
252- (d)(1) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall 8
253-develop: 9
254- (A) A disclosure form; 10
255- (B) Rules; and 11
256- (C) Procedures for deciding whether to allow an 12
257-institution of higher education to accept a gift from a foreign adversary. 13
258- (2) A gift from a foreign adversary shall only be accepted if 14
259-the gift addresses an overwhelming state or national interest beyond 15
260-simply acquiring additional funds. 16
261- (e) An institution of higher education shall maintain a public website 17
262-to disclose information on accepted gifts from foreign adversaries. 18
263- (f) For purposes of this section, a gift received from a foreign 19
264-adversary through an intermediary shall be considered an indirect gift 20
265-with the institution of higher education and is subject to the approval 21
266-process described in this section. 22
267- (g) Upon a request of the Governor, the President of the Senate, or 23
268-the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governing board of an 24
269-institution of higher education shall inspect or audit a gift or gift 25
270-agreement. 26
271- 27
272- 6-60-1606. Disclosure requirements for past contracts. 28
273- (a) An institution of higher education that has entered directly or 29
274-indirectly into a contract with a value equal to or greater than two 30
275-hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) with a foreign adversary after 31
276-December 31, 2019, shall disclose the contract to the governing board of 32
277-the institution of higher education within sixty (60) days following the 33
278-effective date of this subchapter. 34
279- (b) Unless otherwise prohibited or deemed confidential under state or 35
280-federal law, the disclosure required under subsection (a) of this section 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
268+ 8 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
269+ (1) The date of the contract; 1
270+ (2) The amount of the contract; 2
271+ (3) The purpose of the contract; 3
272+ (4) The identification of the person for whom the contract is 4
273+explicitly intended to benefit; 5
274+ (5) The applicable conditions, requirements, restrictions, or 6
275+terms made part of the contract; 7
276+ (6) A copy of the contract; 8
277+ (7) The name and country of residence or domicile of the foreign 9
278+adversary; 10
279+ (8) The name and mailing address of the disclosing entity; and 11
280+ (9) The date of termination of the contract, as applicable. 12
281+ (c) For purposes of this section, a contract entered with a foreign 13
282+adversary or the State of Qatar through an intermediary or affiliate 14
283+organization shall be considered an indirect contract to the institution 15
284+of higher education and is subject to the disclosure process described in 16
285+this section. 17
286+ (d) An institution of higher education shall maintain a public website 18
287+to disclose information on contracts with a foreign adversary or the State 19
288+of Qatar. 20
289+ (e) Upon the request of the Governor, the President of the Senate, or 21
290+the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governing board of an 22
291+institution of higher education shall inspect or audit a past contract. 23
292+ 24
293+ 6-60-1607. Approval requirements for future contracts. 25
294+ (a) An institution of higher education that has been offered or has 26
295+proposed directly or indirectly a contract with a value equal to or 27
296+greater than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) from or with a 28
297+foreign adversary or the State of Qatar after the effective date of this 29
298+subchapter shall disclose the proposed contract to the governing board of 30
299+the institution of higher education before entering into the contract. 31
300+ (b) Unless otherwise prohibited or deemed confidential under state or 32
301+federal law, the disclosure required under subsection (a) of this section 33
302+shall include without limitation: 34
303+ (1) The date of the contract; 35
304+ (2) The amount of the contract; 36 HB1561
281305
282- 8 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
306+ 9 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
307+ (3) The purpose of the contract; 1
308+ (4) The identification of the person for whom the contract is 2
309+explicitly intended to benefit; 3
310+ (5) The applicable conditions, requirements, restrictions, or 4
311+terms made part of the contract; 5
312+ (6) A copy of the contract; 6
313+ (7) The name and country of residence or domicile of the foreign 7
314+adversary; 8
315+ (8) The name and mailing address of the disclosing entity; and 9
316+ (9) The date of termination of the contract as applicable. 10
317+ (c)(1) Within thirty (30) days of receiving the disclosure of the 11
318+proposed contract under subsection (a) of this section, the governing 12
319+board of an institution of higher education shall issue a final decision 13
320+to the institution of higher education on whether and under what 14
321+conditions the institution of higher education may enter into the 15
322+contract. 16
323+ (2) The governing board of the institution of higher education 17
324+shall reject a contract with a foreign adversary or the State of Qatar 18
325+unless there is an overwhelming state or national interest in accepting or 19
326+entering the contract. 20
327+ (d)(1) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall 21
328+develop disclosure forms, rules, and procedures for deciding upon whether 22
329+to allow institutions of higher education to enter into contracts from 23
330+foreign adversaries and the State of Qatar. 24
331+ (2) A contract shall only be entered into if the contract 25
332+addresses an overwhelming state or national interest. 26
333+ (e) An institution of higher education shall maintain a public website 27
334+disclosing a contract from a foreign adversary or the State of Qatar 28
335+described in this section, along with the final decision on whether to 29
336+allow the relevant institution of higher education to enter into the 30
337+contract. 31
338+ (f) For purposes of this section, a contract proposed from a foreign 32
339+adversary or the State of Qatar through an intermediary or affiliate 33
340+organization shall be considered an indirect contract with the institution 34
341+of higher education and is subject to the approval process described in 35
342+this section. 36 HB1561
283343
344+ 10 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
345+ (g) An institution of higher education shall maintain a public website 1
346+to disclose information on contracts from foreign adversaries or the State 2
347+of Qatar. 3
348+ (h) Upon a request of the Governor, the President of the Senate, or 4
349+the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governing board of an 5
350+institution of higher education shall inspect or audit a contract 6
351+agreement. 7
352+ 8
353+ 6-60-1608. Enforcement related to foreign gifts — Penalties — Rewards. 9
354+ (a) Upon receiving a referral from a compliance officer of an 10
355+institution of higher education or a sworn complaint based upon 11
356+substantive information and reasonable belief as defined in Arkansas law, 12
357+the Department of Inspector General shall investigate an allegation of a 13
358+violation of §§ 6-60-1605 — 6-60-1607. 14
359+ (b)(1) The department or compliance officer authorized by an 15
360+institution of higher education may request records relevant to any 16
361+reasonable suspicion of a violation of this subchapter. 17
362+ (2) An entity shall provide the requested records under 18
363+subdivision (b)(1) of this section within ten (10) days after the request 19
364+or a later date agreed to by the department. 20
365+ (c) An institution of higher education that knowingly fails to make a 21
366+disclosure required under this subchapter or knowingly fails to provide 22
367+records requested under subsection (b)(1) of this section is subject to, 23
368+upon a final administration finding, a civil fine of: 24
369+ (1) Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for a first violation; or 25
370+ (2) Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for a subsequent 26
371+violation. 27
372+ (d) A whistleblower who reports an undisclosed foreign gift or 28
373+contract from a foreign adversary or the State of Qatar to the appropriate 29
374+inspector general may also report the undisclosed gift or contract to the 30
375+Attorney General and retain whistleblower protection under the Arkansas 31
376+Whistle-Blower Act, § 21-1-601 et seq. 32
377+ (e) Information reported under subsection (b) of this section is not 33
378+confidential or exempt from examination or disclosure, except as otherwise 34
379+provided by law. 35
380+ (f) The governing board an institution of higher education and the 36 HB1561
284381
285-shall include without limitation: 1
286- (1) The date of the contract; 2
287- (2) The amount of the contract; 3
288- (3) The purpose of the contract; 4
289- (4) The identification of the person for whom the contract is 5
290-explicitly intended to benefit; 6
291- (5) The applicable conditions, requirements, restrictions, or 7
292-terms made part of the contract; 8
293- (6) A copy of the contract; 9
294- (7) The name and country of residence or domicile of the foreign 10
295-adversary; 11
296- (8) The name and mailing address of the disclosing entity; and 12
297- (9) The date of termination of the contract, as applicable. 13
298- (c) For purposes of this section, a contract entered with a foreign 14
299-adversary through an intermediary or affiliate organization shall be 15
300-considered an indirect contract to the institution of higher education and 16
301-is subject to the disclosure process described in this section. 17
302- (d) An institution of higher education shall maintain a public website 18
303-to disclose information on contracts with a foreign adversary. 19
304- (e) Upon the request of the Governor, the President of the Senate, or 20
305-the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governing board of an 21
306-institution of higher education shall inspect or audit a past contract. 22
382+ 11 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
383+department may adopt rules to implement this section. 1
384+ 2
385+ 6-60-1609. Prohibition on certain cultural exchange agreements. 3
386+ (a) An institution of higher education shall not participate in a 4
387+cultural exchange agreement with a foreign adversary or the State of Qatar 5
388+or an entity controlled by a foreign adversary or the State of Qatar 6
389+unless the institution of higher education: 7
390+ (1) Addresses an overwhelmingly underaddressed state or national 8
391+need; and 9
392+ (2) Avoids: 10
393+ (A) Constraining the freedom of contract of the public 11
394+entity; 12
395+ (B) Allowing the curricula or values of a program in the 13
396+state to be directed, controlled, or influenced by the foreign adversary 14
397+or the State of Qatar; or 15
398+ (C) Promoting an agenda detrimental to the safety or 16
399+security of the state, residents of the state, or the United States. 17
400+ (b)(1) Before the execution of a cultural exchange agreement with a 18
401+foreign adversary or the State of Qatar, the substance of the cultural 19
402+exchange agreement shall be shared with the Department of the Inspector 20
403+General. 21
404+ (2) If the department concludes that the cultural exchange 22
405+agreement promotes an agenda detrimental to the safety or security of the 23
406+state, the United States, or residents of the state, the institution of 24
407+higher education shall not enter into the cultural exchange agreement. 25
408+ (c)(1) By December 1, 2026, and each December 1 thereafter, the 26
409+governing board of an institution of higher education and the department 27
410+shall submit a report to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the 28
411+Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives relating to 29
412+partnerships and agreements of institutions of higher education made with 30
413+educational institutions or other institutions based in foreign 31
414+adversaries or the State of Qatar. 32
415+ (2) At a minimum, the report required by subdivision (c)(1) of 33
416+this section shall include without limitation the following information 34
417+for the previous fiscal year: 35
418+ (A) Data reflecting any program, agreement, partnership, 36 HB1561
419+
420+ 12 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
421+or contract between an institution of higher education and any college, 1
422+university, or entity that is based in or controlled by a foreign 2
423+adversary or the State of Qatar; 3
424+ (B) Data reflecting any office, campus, or physical 4
425+location used or maintained by an institution of higher education in a 5
426+foreign adversary or in the State of Qatar; and 6
427+ (C) The date on which any such program, agreement, 7
428+partnership, or contract reported pursuant to subdivision (c)(2)(A) is 8
429+expected to terminate. 9
430+ (d) Each institution of higher education shall submit the information 10
431+required in subsection (c) of this section to the governing board of the 11
432+institution of higher education and the department by July 1, 2026, and on 12
433+each July 1 thereafter. 13
434+ (e)(1) A registered student organization or scholar association hosted 14
435+by an institution of higher education shall not: 15
436+ (A) Accept a gift from a foreign adversary or the State of 16
437+Qatar; 17
438+ (B) Enter into any contract or agreement with a foreign 18
439+adversary or the State of Qatar; or 19
440+ (C) Be directed or controlled by the government of a 20
441+foreign adversary or the State of Qatar. 21
442+ (2) A violation of subdivision (e)(1) of this section shall 22
443+result in the institution of higher education ending any affiliation with 23
444+the registered student organization. 24
445+ (3) For purposes of this subsection, member dues or fees shall 25
446+not be considered a gift from or a contract or agreement with a foreign 26
447+adversary or the State of Qatar. 27
448+ (f) The governing board of an institution of higher education and the 28
449+department shall adopt rules to administer this section. 29
450+ 30
451+ 6-60-1610. Screening requirements for higher education hiring and 31
452+research. 32
453+ (a) An institution of higher education or affiliate of an institution 33
454+of higher education that has federal research expenditures of ten million 34
455+dollars ($10,000,000) or more shall screen applicants who are citizens of 35
456+a foreign adversary or the State of Qatar and are not permanent residents 36 HB1561
457+
458+ 13 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
459+of the United States prior to any final offer of employment or letter of 1
460+invitation as follows: 2
461+ (1) Employment in: 3
462+ (A) Research positions; and 4
463+ (B) Graduate and undergraduate students applying for 5
464+research positions; or 6
465+ (2) A position of a visiting researcher who is a citizen of a 7
466+foreign adversary or the State of Qatar and is not a permanent resident of 8
467+the United States. 9
468+ (b)(1) The screening required by subsection (a) of this section is 10
469+required before offering the applicant a position of employment or of a 11
470+visiting researcher. 12
471+ (2) At the discretion of the institution of higher education, 13
472+other applicants for a position may be screened. 14
473+ (c) An applicant described in subsection (a) of this section shall 15
474+submit: 16
475+ (1) A complete resume or curriculum vitae, including without 17
476+limitation every institution of higher education attended; 18
477+ (2) All previous employment since the applicant’s eighteenth 19
478+birthday; 20
479+ (3) A list of all published material for which the applicant 21
480+received credit as an author, a researcher, or otherwise to which the 22
481+applicant contributed significant research, writing, or editorial support; 23
482+ (4) A list of the applicant’s current and pending research 24
483+funding from any source, including the name of the funder, amount, 25
484+applicant’s role on the project, and brief description of the research; 26
485+ (5) A full disclosure of non -university professional activities, 27
486+including any affiliation with an institution or program in a foreign 28
487+adversary; 29
488+ (6) Other activities that bear on the qualifications appropriate 30
489+for the position, including without limitation private or public sector 31
490+experience, military service, or other appropriate experience; and 32
491+ (7) A list of all patents held and the country of record. 33
492+ (d) For an applicant who has been continually employed or enrolled in 34
493+an institution of higher education in the United States for twenty (20) 35
494+years or more, the resume may include employment history before the most 36 HB1561
495+
496+ 14 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
497+recent twenty (20) years. 1
498+ (e)(1) The president or chief administrative officer of the 2
499+institution of higher education or affiliate of the institution of higher 3
500+education shall designate a research compliance office to review all 4
501+materials required in subsection (c) of this section. 5
502+ (2) The president or chief administrator of the institution of 6
503+higher education shall take reasonable steps to verify information that 7
504+includes without limitation: 8
505+ (A) Searching public listings of persons subject to 9
506+sanctions or restrictions under federal law; 10
507+ (B) Submitting the applicant’s name and other identifying 11
508+information to any federal agency reasonably willing to scrutinize the 12
509+applicant for national security or counterespionage purposes; and 13
510+ (C) Any other steps deemed appropriate to the research 14
511+compliance office under subdivision (e)(1) of this section. 15
512+ (3) The institution of higher education or affiliate of the 16
513+institution of higher education may also create a process to approve 17
514+applicants for hire based on a risk -based determination considering the: 18
515+ (A) Nature of the research; and 19
516+ (B) Background and ongoing affiliations of the applicant. 20
517+ (f)(1) The requirements of this section shall be completed before 21
518+offering any position to an individual described in subsection (a) in any 22
519+research position and before granting the individual any access to 23
520+research data or activities or other sensitive data. 24
521+ (2) An applicant screened under this section shall not be 25
522+employed in any research position if he or she fails to disclose a 26
523+substantial educational, employment, or research activity, publication, or 27
524+presentation at the time of submitting an application, unless the academic 28
525+department head or his or her designee certifies in writing the substance 29
526+of the nondisclosure and the reasons for disregarding the failure to 30
527+disclose. 31
528+ 32
529+ 6-60-1611. Foreign adversary travel requirements. 33
530+ (a)(1) By January 1, 2026, each institution of higher education or 34
531+affiliate organization of the institution of higher education that has 35
532+federal research expenditures of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) or more 36 HB1561
533+
534+ 15 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
535+shall establish a foreign adversary travel approval and monitoring 1
536+program. 2
537+ (2) The foreign adversary travel approval and monitoring program 3
538+required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall require 4
539+preapproval and screening by a research compliance office designated by 5
540+the president or chief administrative officer of the institution of higher 6
541+education or affiliate organization of the institution of higher education 7
542+for any employment-related foreign travel to a foreign adversary country 8
543+and employment-related foreign adversary activities engaged in by all 9
544+faculty, researchers, and research department staff. 10
545+ (3) The requirement under subdivision (a)(2) of this section 11
546+shall be in addition to any other travel approval process applicable to 12
547+the state-supported institution of higher education or affiliate 13
548+organization. 14
549+ (b) Preapproval for travel to a foreign adversary country by the 15
550+research compliance office of the institution of higher education shall be 16
551+based on: 17
552+ (1) The applicant’s review and acknowledgement of guidance 18
553+published by the employing state -supported institution of higher education 19
554+or affiliate organization of the institution of higher education that 20
555+relates to: 21
556+ (A) Foreign adversaries and the State of Qatar; 22
557+ (B) Countries under sanction; or 23
558+ (C) Other restrictions or designations imposed by the 24
559+state or the United States Government including without limitation: 25
560+ (i) Any federal licensing requirements; 26
561+ (ii) Customs rules; 27
562+ (iii) Export controls; 28
563+ (iv) Restrictions on taking university or entity 29
564+property, including intellectual property, abroad; 30
565+ (v) Restrictions on presentations, teaching, and 31
566+interactions with foreign adversary colleagues; and 32
567+ (vi) Other subjects important to the research and 33
568+academic integrity of the institution of higher education; and 34
569+ (2) The binding commitment of the individual traveler not to 35
570+violate the institution of higher education or affiliate organization of 36 HB1561
571+
572+ 16 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
573+the institution of higher education’s limitations on foreign adversary 1
574+travel and activities abroad and to obey all applicable federal laws. 2
575+ (c)(1) The institution of higher education or affiliate organization 3
576+of the institution of higher education shall maintain records of: 4
577+ (A) All foreign adversary travel requests and approvals; 5
578+ (B) Expenses reimbursed by the institution of higher 6
579+education or affiliate organization of the institution of higher education 7
580+during such foreign adversary travel including for travel, food, and 8
581+lodging; and 9
582+ (C) Payments and honoraria received during the foreign 10
583+adversary travel and activities, including for travel, food, and lodging. 11
584+ (2)(A) The institution of higher education shall also keep 12
585+records of the purpose of the foreign adversary travel and any records 13
586+related to the foreign activity review. 14
587+ (B) The records shall be retained for at least three (3) 15
588+years or any longer period of time required by any other applicable state 16
589+or federal law. 17
590+ (d) The institution of higher education shall provide an annual report 18
591+to the governing board of the institution of higher education of foreign 19
592+travel to a foreign adversary country or the State of Qatar listing the: 20
593+ (1) Individual traveler; 21
594+ (2) Foreign adversary location visited; and 22
595+ (3) Foreign adversary institution visited. 23
596+ 24
597+ 6-60-1612. Prohibitions on research partnerships. 25
598+ (a)(1) An institution of higher education shall only enter into a new 26
599+partnership or renew an existing partnership with a foreign 27
600+instrumentality if the institution of higher education maintains 28
601+sufficient structural safeguards to protect the intellectual property of 29
602+the institution of higher education. 30
603+ (2) The governing board of an institution of higher education 31
604+shall notify an institution of higher education if the board determines 32
605+the partnership meets the safeguard requirements required by this 33
606+subsection. 34
607+ (3) The safeguard requirements under this subsection shall 35
608+include without limitation the following: 36 HB1561
609+
610+ 17 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
611+ (A) Compliance with all federal requirements, including 1
612+the requirements of federal research sponsors and federal export control 2
613+agencies, including regulations regarding international traffic in arms 3
614+and export administration regulations, and economic and trade sanctions 4
615+administered by the federal office of foreign assets control; 5
616+ (B) Annual formal institution -level programs for faculty 6
617+on conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment; 7
618+ (C) An overwhelming state interest to enter into the 8
619+research or academic partnership; 9
620+ (D) Lack of alternative institutions to engage with for a 10
621+similar research or academic partnership; and 11
622+ (E) A formalized foreign visitor process and uniform 12
623+visiting scholar agreement. 13
624+ (b) The board shall have full discretion to reject or terminate any 14
625+research partnership between an institution of higher education and an 15
626+academic or research institution located in a foreign adversary or the 16
627+State of Qatar at any time and for any purpose. 17
628+ 18
629+ 6-60-1613. Prohibitions related to trade secrets. 19
630+ A person who engages in willful misappropriation of a trade secret with 20
631+the intent to benefit a foreign government, a foreign agent, or a foreign 21
632+instrumentality shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class D felony. 22
307633 23
308- 6-60-1607. Approval requirements for future contracts. 24
309- (a) An institution of higher education that has been offered or has 25
310-proposed directly or indirectly a contract with a value equal to or 26
311-greater than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) from or with a 27
312-foreign adversary after the effective date of this subchapter shall 28
313-disclose the proposed contract to the governing board of the institution 29
314-of higher education before entering into the contract. 30
315- (b) Unless otherwise prohibited or deemed confidential under state or 31
316-federal law, the disclosure required under subsection (a) of this section 32
317-shall include without limitation: 33
318- (1) The date of the contract; 34
319- (2) The amount of the contract; 35
320- (3) The purpose of the contract; 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
634+ 6-60-1614. Penalties for violations related to intellectual property. 24
635+ (a) A person who violates § 6 -60-1613 commits theft of a trade secret 25
636+and is guilty of a Class D felony. 26
637+ (b) A person who traffics in, or endeavors to traffic in, a trade 27
638+secret that he or she knows or should know was obtained or used without 28
639+authorization commits trafficking in a trade secret and is guilty of a 29
640+Class D felony. 30
641+ (c) Whenever a person is charged with a violation of this act which 31
642+was committed with the intent to benefit a foreign government, a foreign 32
643+agent, or a foreign instrumentality, the offense for which the person is 33
644+charged shall be reclassified as follows: 34
645+ (1) In the case of theft of a trade secret, from a Class D 35
646+felony to a Class C felony; and 36 HB1561
321647
322- 9 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
323-
324-
325- (4) The identification of the person for whom the contract is 1
326-explicitly intended to benefit; 2
327- (5) The applicable conditions, requirements, restrictions, or 3
328-terms made part of the contract; 4
329- (6) A copy of the contract; 5
330- (7) The name and country of residence or domicile of the foreign 6
331-adversary; 7
332- (8) The name and mailing address of the disclosing entity; and 8
333- (9) The date of termination of the contract as applicable. 9
334- (c)(1) Within thirty (30) days of receiving the disclosure of the 10
335-proposed contract under subsection (a) of this section, the governing 11
336-board of an institution of higher education shall issue a final decision 12
337-to the institution of higher education on whether and under what 13
338-conditions the institution of higher education may enter into the 14
339-contract. 15
340- (2) The governing board of the institution of higher education 16
341-shall reject a contract with a foreign adversary unless there is an 17
342-overwhelming state or national interest in accepting or entering the 18
343-contract. 19
344- (d)(1) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall 20
345-develop disclosure forms, rules, and procedures for deciding upon whether 21
346-to allow institutions of higher education to enter into contracts from 22
347-foreign adversaries. 23
348- (2) A contract shall only be entered into if the contract 24
349-addresses an overwhelming state or national interest. 25
350- (e) An institution of higher education shall maintain a public website 26
351-disclosing a contract from a foreign adversary described in this section, 27
352-along with the final decision on whether to allow the relevant institution 28
353-of higher education to enter into the contract. 29
354- (f) For purposes of this section, a contract proposed from a foreign 30
355-adversary through an intermediary or affiliate organization shall be 31
356-considered an indirect contract with the institution of higher education 32
357-and is subject to the approval process described in this section. 33
358- (g) An institution of higher education shall maintain a public website 34
359-to disclose information on contracts from foreign adversaries. 35
360- (h) Upon a request of the Governor, the President of the Senate, or 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
361-
362- 10 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
363-
364-
365-the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the governing board of an 1
366-institution of higher education shall inspect or audit a contract 2
367-agreement. 3
368- 4
369- 6-60-1608. Enforcement related to foreign gifts — Penalties — Rewards. 5
370- (a) Upon receiving a referral from a compliance officer of an 6
371-institution of higher education or a sworn complaint based upon 7
372-substantive information and reasonable belief as defined in Arkansas law, 8
373-the Department of Inspector General shall investigate an allegation of a 9
374-violation of §§ 6-60-1605 — 6-60-1607. 10
375- (b)(1) The department or compliance officer authorized by an 11
376-institution of higher education may request records relevant to any 12
377-reasonable suspicion of a violation of this subchapter. 13
378- (2) An entity shall provide the requested records under 14
379-subdivision (b)(1) of this section within ten (10) days after the request 15
380-or a later date agreed to by the department. 16
381- (c) An institution of higher education that knowingly fails to make a 17
382-disclosure required under this subchapter or knowingly fails to provide 18
383-records requested under subsection (b)(1) of this section is subject to, 19
384-upon a final administration finding, a civil fine of: 20
385- (1) Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for a first violation; or 21
386- (2) Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for a subsequent 22
387-violation. 23
388- (d) A whistleblower who reports an undisclosed foreign gift or 24
389-contract from a foreign adversary to the appropriate inspector general may 25
390-also report the undisclosed gift or contract to the Attorney General and 26
391-retain whistleblower protection under the Arkansas Whistle -Blower Act, § 27
392-21-1-601 et seq. 28
393- (e) Information reported under subsection (b) of this section is not 29
394-confidential or exempt from examination or disclosure, except as otherwise 30
395-provided by law. 31
396- (f) The governing board an institution of higher education and the 32
397-department may adopt rules to implement this section. 33
398- 34
399- 6-60-1609. Prohibition on certain cultural exchange agreements. 35
400- (a) An institution of higher education shall not participate in a 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
401-
402- 11 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
403-
404-
405-cultural exchange agreement with a foreign adversary or an entity 1
406-controlled by a foreign adversary unless the institution of higher 2
407-education: 3
408- (1) Addresses an overwhelmingly underaddressed state or national 4
409-need; and 5
410- (2) Avoids: 6
411- (A) Constraining the freedom of contract of the public 7
412-entity; 8
413- (B) Allowing the curricula or values of a program in the 9
414-state to be directed, controlled, or influenced by the foreign adversary; 10
415-or 11
416- (C) Promoting an agenda detrimental to the safety or 12
417-security of the state, residents of the state, or the United States. 13
418- (b)(1) Before the execution of a cultural exchange agreement with a 14
419-foreign adversary, the substance of the cultural exchange agreement shall 15
420-be shared with the Department of the Inspector General. 16
421- (2) If the department concludes that the cultural exchange 17
422-agreement promotes an agenda detrimental to the safety or security of the 18
423-state, the United States, or residents of the state, the institution of 19
424-higher education shall not enter into the cultural exchange agreement. 20
425- (c)(1) By December 1, 2026, and each December 1 thereafter, the 21
426-governing board of an institution of higher education and the department 22
427-shall submit a report to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the 23
428-Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives relating to 24
429-partnerships and agreements of institutions of higher education made with 25
430-educational institutions or other institutions based in foreign 26
431-adversaries. 27
432- (2) At a minimum, the report required by subdivision (c)(1) of 28
433-this section shall include without limitation the following information 29
434-for the previous fiscal year: 30
435- (A) Data reflecting any program, agreement, partnership, 31
436-or contract between an institution of higher education and any college, 32
437-university, or entity that is based in or controlled by a foreign 33
438-adversary; 34
439- (B) Data reflecting any office, campus, or physical 35
440-location used or maintained by an institution of higher education in a 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
441-
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443-
444-
445-foreign adversary; and 1
446- (C) The date on which any such program, agreement, 2
447-partnership, or contract reported pursuant to subdivision (c)(2)(A) is 3
448-expected to terminate. 4
449- (d) Each institution of higher education shall submit the information 5
450-required in subsection (c) of this section to the governing board of the 6
451-institution of higher education and the department by July 1, 2026, and on 7
452-each July 1 thereafter. 8
453- (e)(1) A registered student organization or scholar association hosted 9
454-by an institution of higher education shall not: 10
455- (A) Accept a gift from a foreign adversary; 11
456- (B) Enter into any contract or agreement with a foreign 12
457-adversary; or 13
458- (C) Be directed or controlled by the government of a 14
459-foreign adversary. 15
460- (2) A violation of subdivision (e)(1) of this section shall 16
461-result in the institution of higher education ending any affiliation with 17
462-the registered student organization. 18
463- (3) For purposes of this subsection, member dues or fees shall 19
464-not be considered a gift from or a contract or agreement with a foreign 20
465-adversary. 21
466- (f) The governing board of an institution of higher education and the 22
467-department shall adopt rules to administer this section. 23
468- 24
469- 6-60-1610. Screening requirements for higher education hiring and 25
470-research. 26
471- (a) An institution of higher education or affiliate of an institution 27
472-of higher education that has federal research expenditures of ten million 28
473-dollars ($10,000,000) or more shall screen applicants who are citizens of 29
474-a foreign adversary and are not permanent residents of the United States 30
475-prior to any final offer of employment or letter of invitation as follows: 31
476- (1) Employment in: 32
477- (A) Research positions; and 33
478- (B) Graduate and undergraduate students applying for 34
479-research positions; or 35
480- (2) A position of a visiting researcher who is a citizen of a 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
481-
482- 13 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
483-
484-
485-foreign adversary and is not a permanent resident of the United States. 1
486- (b)(1) The screening required by subsection (a) of this section is 2
487-required before offering the applicant a position of employment or of a 3
488-visiting researcher. 4
489- (2) At the discretion of the institution of higher education, 5
490-other applicants for a position may be screened. 6
491- (c) An applicant described in subsection (a) of this section shall 7
492-submit: 8
493- (1) A complete resume or curriculum vitae, including without 9
494-limitation every institution of higher education attended; 10
495- (2) All previous employment since the applicant’s eighteenth 11
496-birthday; 12
497- (3) A list of all published material for which the applicant 13
498-received credit as an author, a researcher, or otherwise to which the 14
499-applicant contributed significant research, writing, or editorial support; 15
500- (4) A list of the applicant’s current and pending research 16
501-funding from any source, including the name of the funder, amount, 17
502-applicant’s role on the project, and brief description of the research; 18
503- (5) A full disclosure of non -university professional activities, 19
504-including any affiliation with an institution or program in a foreign 20
505-adversary; 21
506- (6) Other activities that bear on the qualifications appropriate 22
507-for the position, including without limitation private or public sector 23
508-experience, military service, or other appropriate experience; and 24
509- (7) A list of all patents held and the country of record. 25
510- (d) For an applicant who has been continually employed or enrolled in 26
511-an institution of higher education in the United States for twenty (20) 27
512-years or more, the resume may include employment history before the most 28
513-recent twenty (20) years. 29
514- (e)(1) The president or chief administrative officer of the 30
515-institution of higher education or affiliate of the institution of higher 31
516-education shall designate a research compliance office to review all 32
517-materials required in subsection (c) of this section. 33
518- (2) The president or chief administrator of the institution of 34
519-higher education shall take reasonable steps to verify information that 35
520-includes without limitation: 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
521-
522- 14 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
523-
524-
525- (A) Searching public listings of persons subject to 1
526-sanctions or restrictions under federal law; 2
527- (B) Submitting the applicant’s name and other identifying 3
528-information to any federal agency reasonably willing to scrutinize the 4
529-applicant for national security or counterespionage purposes; and 5
530- (C) Any other steps deemed appropriate to the research 6
531-compliance office under subdivision (e)(1) of this section. 7
532- (3) The institution of higher education or affiliate of the 8
533-institution of higher education may also create a process to approve 9
534-applicants for hire based on a risk -based determination considering the: 10
535- (A) Nature of the research; and 11
536- (B) Background and ongoing affiliations of the applicant. 12
537- (f)(1) The requirements of this section shall be completed before 13
538-offering any position to an individual described in subsection (a) in any 14
539-research position and before granting the individual any access to 15
540-research data or activities or other sensitive data. 16
541- (2) An applicant screened under this section shall not be 17
542-employed in any research position if he or she fails to disclose a 18
543-substantial educational, employment, or research activity, publication, or 19
544-presentation at the time of submitting an application, unless the academic 20
545-department head or his or her designee certifies in writing the substance 21
546-of the nondisclosure and the reasons for disregarding the failure to 22
547-disclose. 23
548- 24
549- 6-60-1611. Foreign adversary travel requirements. 25
550- (a)(1) By January 1, 2026, each institution of higher education or 26
551-affiliate organization of the institution of higher education that has 27
552-federal research expenditures of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) or more 28
553-shall establish a foreign adversary travel approval and monitoring 29
554-program. 30
555- (2) The foreign adversary travel approval and monitoring program 31
556-required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall require 32
557-preapproval and screening by a research compliance office designated by 33
558-the president or chief administrative officer of the institution of higher 34
559-education or affiliate organization of the institution of higher education 35
560-for any employment-related foreign travel to a foreign adversary country 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
561-
562- 15 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
563-
564-
565-and employment-related foreign adversary activities engaged in by all 1
566-faculty, researchers, and research department staff. 2
567- (3) The requirement under subdivision (a)(2) of this section 3
568-shall be in addition to any other travel approval process applicable to 4
569-the state-supported institution of higher education or affiliate 5
570-organization. 6
571- (b) Preapproval for travel to a foreign adversary country by the 7
572-research compliance office of the institution of higher education shall be 8
573-based on: 9
574- (1) The applicant’s review and acknowledgement of guidance 10
575-published by the employing state -supported institution of higher education 11
576-or affiliate organization of the institution of higher education that 12
577-relates to: 13
578- (A) Foreign adversaries; 14
579- (B) Countries under sanction; or 15
580- (C) Other restrictions or designations imposed by the 16
581-state or the United States Government including without limitation: 17
582- (i) Any federal licensing requirements; 18
583- (ii) Customs rules; 19
584- (iii) Export controls; 20
585- (iv) Restrictions on taking university or entity 21
586-property, including intellectual property, abroad; 22
587- (v) Restrictions on presentations, teaching, and 23
588-interactions with foreign adversary colleagues; and 24
589- (vi) Other subjects important to the research and 25
590-academic integrity of the institution of higher education; and 26
591- (2) The binding commitment of the individual traveler not to 27
592-violate the institution of higher education or affiliate organization of 28
593-the institution of higher education’s limitations on foreign adversary 29
594-travel and activities abroad and to obey all applicable federal laws. 30
595- (c)(1) The institution of higher education or affiliate organization 31
596-of the institution of higher education shall maintain records of: 32
597- (A) All foreign adversary travel requests and approvals; 33
598- (B) Expenses reimbursed by the institution of higher 34
599-education or affiliate organization of the institution of higher education 35
600-during such foreign adversary travel including for travel, food, and 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
601-
602- 16 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
603-
604-
605-lodging; and 1
606- (C) Payments and honoraria received during the foreign 2
607-adversary travel and activities, including for travel, food, and lodging. 3
608- (2)(A) The institution of higher education shall also keep 4
609-records of the purpose of the foreign adversary travel and any records 5
610-related to the foreign activity review. 6
611- (B) The records shall be retained for at least three (3) 7
612-years or any longer period of time required by any other applicable state 8
613-or federal law. 9
614- (d) The institution of higher education shall provide an annual report 10
615-to the governing board of the institution of higher education of foreign 11
616-travel to a foreign adversary country listing the: 12
617- (1) Individual traveler; 13
618- (2) Foreign adversary location visited; and 14
619- (3) Foreign adversary institution visited. 15
620- 16
621- 6-60-1612. Prohibitions on research partnerships. 17
622- (a)(1) An institution of higher education shall only enter into a new 18
623-partnership or renew an existing partnership with a foreign 19
624-instrumentality if the institution of higher education maintains 20
625-sufficient structural safeguards to protect the intellectual property of 21
626-the institution of higher education. 22
627- (2) The governing board of an institution of higher education 23
628-shall notify an institution of higher education if the board determines 24
629-the partnership meets the safeguard requirements required by this 25
630-subsection. 26
631- (3) The safeguard requirements under this subsection shall 27
632-include without limitation the following: 28
633- (A) Compliance with all federal requirements, including 29
634-the requirements of federal research sponsors and federal export control 30
635-agencies, including regulations regarding international traffic in arms 31
636-and export administration regulations, and economic and trade sanctions 32
637-administered by the federal office of foreign assets control; 33
638- (B) Annual formal institution -level programs for faculty 34
639-on conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment; 35
640- (C) An overwhelming state interest to enter into the 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
641-
642- 17 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
643-
644-
645-research or academic partnership; 1
646- (D) Lack of alternative institutions to engage with for a 2
647-similar research or academic partnership; and 3
648- (E) A formalized foreign visitor process and uniform 4
649-visiting scholar agreement. 5
650- (b) The board shall have full discretion to reject or terminate any 6
651-research partnership between an institution of higher education and an 7
652-academic or research institution located in a foreign adversary at any 8
653-time and for any purpose. 9
654- 10
655- 6-60-1613. Prohibitions related to trade secrets. 11
656- A person who engages in willful misappropriation of a trade secret with 12
657-the intent to benefit a foreign government, a foreign agent, or a foreign 13
658-instrumentality shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class D felony. 14
659- 15
660- 6-60-1614. Penalties for violations related to intellectual property. 16
661- (a) A person who violates § 6 -60-1613 commits theft of a trade secret 17
662-and is guilty of a Class D felony. 18
663- (b) A person who traffics in, or endeavors to traffic in, a trade 19
664-secret that he or she knows or should know was obtained or used without 20
665-authorization commits trafficking in a trade secret and is guilty of a 21
666-Class D felony. 22
667- (c) Whenever a person is charged with a violation of this act which 23
668-was committed with the intent to benefit a foreign government, a foreign 24
669-agent, or a foreign instrumentality, the offense for which the person is 25
670-charged shall be reclassified as follows: 26
671- (1) In the case of theft of a trade secret, from a Class D 27
672-felony to a Class C felony; and 28
673- (2) In the case of trafficking in trade secrets, from a Class D 29
674-felony to a Class C felony. 30
675- 31
676- 6-60-1615. Duties related to foreign adversary software — Rules. 32
677- (a) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall 33
678-conduct a thorough review of all software and software platforms used by 34
679-an institution of higher education that may be linked to foreign 35
680-adversaries. 36 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 H3/12/25 HB1561
681-
682- 18 03-12-2025 10:56:59 CRH095
683-
684-
685- (b) The board shall: 1
686- (1) Develop a plan to eliminate the usage of software and 2
687-software platforms hosted, operated, or owned by foreign adversary 3
688-countries; and 4
689- (2) Adopt policies that prohibit the future utilizing or 5
690-contracting with entities domiciled in, or controlled or owned by 6
691-companies or other entities domiciled in foreign adversary countries that 7
692-host, operate, or own software and software platforms. 8
693- 9
694- SECTION 2. DO NOT CODIFY. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. If any provision of 10
695-this act or the application of this act to any person or circumstance is 11
696-held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or 12
697-applications of this act which can be given effect without the invalid 13
698-provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this act are 14
699-declared severable. 15
700- 16
701-/s/Painter 17
702- 18
703- 19
704-APPROVED: 4/8/25 20
705- 21
706- 22
707- 23
648+ 18 02/24/2025 1:29:02 PM CRH095
649+ (2) In the case of trafficking in trade secrets, from a Class D 1
650+felony to a Class C felony. 2
651+ 3
652+ 6-60-1615. Duties related to foreign adversary software — Rules. 4
653+ (a) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall 5
654+conduct a thorough review of all software and software platforms used by 6
655+an institution of higher education that may be linked to foreign 7
656+adversaries. 8
657+ (b) The board shall: 9
658+ (1) Develop a plan to eliminate the usage of software and 10
659+software platforms hosted, operated, or owned by foreign adversary 11
660+countries; and 12
661+ (2) Adopt policies that prohibit the future utilizing or 13
662+contracting with entities domiciled in, or controlled or owned by 14
663+companies or other entities domiciled in foreign adversary countries that 15
664+host, operate, or own software and software platforms. 16
665+ 17
666+ SECTION 2. DO NOT CODIFY. SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. If any provision of 18
667+this act or the application of this act to any person or circumstance is 19
668+held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or 20
669+applications of this act which can be given effect without the invalid 21
670+provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this act are 22
671+declared severable. 23
708672 24
709673 25
710674 26
711675 27
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713677 29
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716680 32
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718682 34
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720684 36