Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2595

Filed

2/7/25

Out of House Committee

Voted on by House

Out of Senate Committee

Voted on by Senate

Governor Action

Bill Becomes Law

Caption

Relating to prohibiting certain dealings with foreign adversaries by public schools and public institutions of higher education; providing civil penalties; creating criminal offenses.

Impact

The legislation introduces significant civil penalties for schools that violate these prohibitions, setting a penalty of $50,000 for each instance of noncompliance. Furthermore, any individual knowingly violating the provisions could face felony charges. This law aims to safeguard the integrity of education in Texas from perceived threats posed by foreign governments and to protect student and staff exchanges from potential risks associated with foreign adversaries. This could lead to stricter regulations and review processes for overseas partnerships in schools and universities.

Summary

House Bill 2595 aims to prohibit public schools and public institutions of higher education in Texas from engaging in certain dealings with defined foreign adversaries. Specifically, the bill outlines that these educational institutions cannot enter into contracts with foreign entities such as those from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, particularly regarding academic programs, collaborations, or use of educational materials produced by these adversaries. It establishes a framework for oversight and approval of educational materials before they can be used within the educational system.

Contention

While supporters argue that the bill is necessary for national security and educational integrity, opponents may contend that it oversteps by limiting collaboration and exchange opportunities that educational institutions have with international partners. Some educators and stakeholders may raise concerns about the loss of potential educational benefits, innovative collaborations, or the idea of a more globally connected educational framework. The bill's broad definitions of foreign adversaries and contracts also raise questions about its practical application and enforcement.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

Chapter 11. School Districts
- Section: New Section

Chapter 51. Provisions Generally Applicable To Higher Education
- Section: New Section

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB2760

Relating to the disclosure of certain gifts, grants, contracts, and financial interests received from a foreign source by certain state agencies, public institutions of higher education, and state contractors, and to the approval and monitoring of employment-related foreign travel and activities by certain public institution of higher education employees; providing civil and administrative penalties.

TX SB2459

TX SB1517

Relating to prohibiting certain academic boycotts of foreign countries by public institutions of higher education.

TX SB1031

Relating to studies or surveys on children's sexual behavior conducted at or by a public primary or secondary school or by a public or private institution of higher education or another person; creating criminal offenses; imposing civil penalties.

TX HB5033

Relating to requiring public schools and public institutions of higher education to report data regarding certain arrests made on school or institution property.

TX HB2324

Relating to the regulation of certain health professionals and health facilities; providing civil and administrative penalties; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB5148

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Students with Disabilities Scholarship Program for certain students at public institutions of higher education.

TX SB2225

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Students with Disabilities Scholarship Program for certain students at public institutions of higher education.

TX HB1402

Relating to the criminal penalties for certain criminal offenses.

TX HB3996

Relating to regulating certain firearm transfers, possession of certain firearms, and protective orders prohibiting possession of a firearm; creating criminal offenses; increasing criminal penalties.

Similar Bills

TX SB2514

Relating to establishing the hostile foreign adversaries unit at the Department of Public Safety and training, prohibitions, and reporting requirements designed to combat foreign influence and foreign adversary operations; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB4195

Relating to contracts with and the acceptance of money from certain foreign sources by public schools and public institutions of higher education; providing administrative penalties.

TX SB2430

Relating to measures to protect public institutions of higher education from foreign adversaries and to the prosecution of the criminal offense of theft of trade secrets; providing civil and administrative penalties; increasing a criminal penalty.

TX HB127

Relating to measures to protect institutions of higher education from foreign adversaries and to the prosecution of the criminal offense of theft of trade secrets; increasing a criminal penalty.

TX SB2821

Relating to contracts with and the acceptance of money from certain foreign sources by public schools and public institutions of higher education; providing civil penalties.

TX SB1585

Relating to a prohibition on governmental contracts with companies of foreign adversaries for certain information and communications technology; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.

AR HB1561

To Establish The Research And Education Protection Act Of 2025.

TX HB4597

Relating to interests in real property held or acquired by or on behalf of certain foreign individuals or entities and the authority of the attorney general to acquire the property by eminent domain; establishing the homeland security review committee; creating a criminal offense.