TX
Texas House Bill HB4195

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4195

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

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.

Impact

If enacted, HB 4195 would significantly alter the legal landscape surrounding financial relationships between public educational institutions and foreign actors. It imposes strict regulations that could lead to administrative penalties for schools that violate the prohibitions, potentially costing institutions up to 150% of the value of the contracts or donations in question. This could impact research collaborations, academic exchanges, and funding for educational programs involving foreign organizations or individuals linked to the designated adversaries.

Summary

House Bill 4195 aims to regulate contracts and the acceptance of financial contributions from designated foreign adversaries by public schools and institutions of higher education in Texas. The bill defines 'foreign adversaries' to include countries recognized for their hostile activities against the United States, such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. By prohibiting contracts and donations from such entities, the bill seeks to protect the integrity of educational institutions and prevent external influences deemed harmful to national security.

Contention

The bill is likely to provoke debate regarding its implications for academic freedom and collaboration. Critics may argue that restricting financial contributions and partnerships with foreign entities could limit the resources available to educational institutions and hinder valuable international academic exchanges. Supporters, however, would contend that the risks associated with foreign influence in public education necessitate such measures to safeguard against potential conflicts of interest and security threats.

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

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 SB552

Relating to prohibiting contracts or other agreements with certain foreign-owned companies in connection with agricultural land.

TX HB5127

Relating to public higher education reform; authorizing administrative penalties.

TX SB895

Relating to the regulation of money services businesses; creating a criminal offense; creating administrative penalties; authorizing the imposition of a fee.

TX SB1517

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

TX HB2788

Relating to the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens or foreign entities; creating a criminal offense.

TX SB1246

Relating to authorized investments of public money by certain governmental entities and the confidentiality of certain information related to those investments.

TX SB2484

Relating to prohibiting contracts or other agreements involving the receipt of certain tax incentives by certain foreign-owned companies.

TX HB124

Relating to the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by certain aliens or foreign entities.

Similar Bills

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 HB2595

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

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.

AR HB1561

To Establish The Research And Education Protection Act Of 2025.

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.

ME LD877

An Act to Increase Cybersecurity in Maine

TX SB1741

Relating to measures to prevent foreign influence, foreign interference, and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education.