BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2233 89R9791 KJE-D By: Hinojosa, Adam Education K-16 4/14/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.B. 2233 seeks to enhance the security and integrity of public institutions of higher education in Texas by addressing concerns related to terrorism and national security. The bill specifically targets individuals holding nonimmigrant visasstudents or employeesby prohibiting them from engaging in or supporting terrorist activities. As part of this effort, S.B. 2233 establishes clear guidelines for higher education institutions to follow in order to prevent public endorsement or support of terrorist organizations, and to ensure that these institutions remain secure and free from influences that may pose a threat to national security. As proposed, S.B. 2233 amends current law relating to a prohibition on certain persons supporting terrorist activity at public institutions of higher education. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.989, as follows: Sec. 51.989. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN PERSONS SUPPORTING TERRORIST ACTIVITY. (a) Defines "institution of higher education," "terrorist activity," and "terrorist organization." (b) Requires an institution of higher education to adopt a policy prohibiting a student enrolled at or employee of the institution who holds a nonimmigrant visa from publicly supporting terrorist activity related to an ongoing conflict or, at any time or place, persuading others to support terrorist activity related to an ongoing conflict or to support a terrorist organization, unless it is the policy or practice of the United States to support that activity or organization. (c) Requires an institution of higher education, if an institution receives a report that a student enrolled at or employee of the institution who holds a nonimmigrant visa has violated the policy adopted under Subsection (b), to conduct an investigation to determine whether a violation occurred. (d) Requires an institution of higher education, if the institution determines by a preponderance of the evidence that a student enrolled at or employee of the institution who holds a nonimmigrant visa violated the policy adopted under Subsection (b), to: (1) for the first violation, suspend the student or the employee's employment for a period of at least one year; (2) for the second violation, expel the student or terminate the employee's employment; and (3) promptly report the suspension, expulsion, or termination to the United States Department of Homeland Security through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). (e) Prohibits an institution of higher education from admitting or hiring at the institution a person who has been suspended under Subsection (d)(1) during the period of the suspension or who has been expelled or whose employment was terminated under Subsection (d)(2). (f) Authorizes the attorney general to bring an action against an institution of higher education to compel the institution to comply with this section. Authorizes the court, if the court determines that the institution has failed to comply with this section, to impose on the institution a fine in an amount not to exceed one percent of the institution's annual budget per instance of failure to comply. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2233
89R9791 KJE-D By: Hinojosa, Adam
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2233
89R9791 KJE-D
By: Hinojosa, Adam
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 2233 seeks to enhance the security and integrity of public institutions of higher education in Texas by addressing concerns related to terrorism and national security. The bill specifically targets individuals holding nonimmigrant visasstudents or employeesby prohibiting them from engaging in or supporting terrorist activities. As part of this effort, S.B. 2233 establishes clear guidelines for higher education institutions to follow in order to prevent public endorsement or support of terrorist organizations, and to ensure that these institutions remain secure and free from influences that may pose a threat to national security.
As proposed, S.B. 2233 amends current law relating to a prohibition on certain persons supporting terrorist activity at public institutions of higher education.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.989, as follows:
Sec. 51.989. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN PERSONS SUPPORTING TERRORIST ACTIVITY. (a) Defines "institution of higher education," "terrorist activity," and "terrorist organization."
(b) Requires an institution of higher education to adopt a policy prohibiting a student enrolled at or employee of the institution who holds a nonimmigrant visa from publicly supporting terrorist activity related to an ongoing conflict or, at any time or place, persuading others to support terrorist activity related to an ongoing conflict or to support a terrorist organization, unless it is the policy or practice of the United States to support that activity or organization.
(c) Requires an institution of higher education, if an institution receives a report that a student enrolled at or employee of the institution who holds a nonimmigrant visa has violated the policy adopted under Subsection (b), to conduct an investigation to determine whether a violation occurred.
(d) Requires an institution of higher education, if the institution determines by a preponderance of the evidence that a student enrolled at or employee of the institution who holds a nonimmigrant visa violated the policy adopted under Subsection (b), to:
(1) for the first violation, suspend the student or the employee's employment for a period of at least one year;
(2) for the second violation, expel the student or terminate the employee's employment; and
(3) promptly report the suspension, expulsion, or termination to the United States Department of Homeland Security through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
(e) Prohibits an institution of higher education from admitting or hiring at the institution a person who has been suspended under Subsection (d)(1) during the period of the suspension or who has been expelled or whose employment was terminated under Subsection (d)(2).
(f) Authorizes the attorney general to bring an action against an institution of higher education to compel the institution to comply with this section. Authorizes the court, if the court determines that the institution has failed to comply with this section, to impose on the institution a fine in an amount not to exceed one percent of the institution's annual budget per instance of failure to comply.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.