By: Patterson H.B. No. 845
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education
from providing financial support to nonprofit media organizations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Free Press Act.
SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.980 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.980. FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF NONPROFIT MEDIA
ORGANIZATION PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "institution of
higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, an institution of higher
education may not use funds from any source to provide financial
support, including through the purchase of a membership,
sponsorship, or advertising services, to a media organization that
is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a), Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed as an exempt organization in
Section 501(c)(3) of that code.
SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section, Section 51.980, Education Code, as added by this Act,
applies only to an expenditure of funds that is made on or after the
effective date of this Act.
(b) Section 51.980, Education Code, as added by this Act,
does not affect an expenditure of funds made under the terms of a
contract entered into before the effective date of this Act. An
expenditure of funds made under the terms of a contract entered into
before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
effect on the date the contract was entered into, and the former law
is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.