BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 2683 89R17213 CXP-D By: Hughes Education K-16 4/14/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Concerns have grown over the potential for foreign governments, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to use student organizations as tools to advance political, economic, and ideological goals that may conflict with U.S. interests. In 2019, concerns emerged about Chinese Student and Scholar Associations (CSSAs) at U.S. universities being used by the CCP to promote its agenda, especially regarding the Hong Kong protests and the treatment of Uyghur Muslims. These organizations, often funded and guided by Chinese consulates, were accused of pressuring students to support CCP policies, surveilling dissenters, and suppressing free speech. In response, the U.S. government investigated CSSAs for foreign influence and imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials linked to these groups, raising alarms about foreign interference in academic institutions. S.B. 2683 addresses these concerns by stopping financial support to student organizations receiving funds from foreign adversaries, as defined by the U.S. government. This bill aims to protect the autonomy of Texas public universities while preventing the influence of foreign governments on student groups. As proposed, S.B. 2683 amends current law relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from providing benefits to a student organization that receives financial support from an entity of concern. 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 51.93151, as follows: Sec. 51.93151. PROHIBITION ON PROVIDING FUNDING AND OTHER BENEFITS TO CERTAIN STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS. (a) Defines "benefit," "student organization," "entity of concern," and "institution of higher education." (b) Prohibits an institution of higher education, notwithstanding Section 51.9315 (Protected Expression on Campus), from providing any benefit to a student organization that receives financial support from an entity of concern. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 20252026 academic year. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2683
89R17213 CXP-D By: Hughes
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 2683
89R17213 CXP-D
By: Hughes
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Concerns have grown over the potential for foreign governments, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to use student organizations as tools to advance political, economic, and ideological goals that may conflict with U.S. interests.
In 2019, concerns emerged about Chinese Student and Scholar Associations (CSSAs) at U.S. universities being used by the CCP to promote its agenda, especially regarding the Hong Kong protests and the treatment of Uyghur Muslims. These organizations, often funded and guided by Chinese consulates, were accused of pressuring students to support CCP policies, surveilling dissenters, and suppressing free speech. In response, the U.S. government investigated CSSAs for foreign influence and imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials linked to these groups, raising alarms about foreign interference in academic institutions.
S.B. 2683 addresses these concerns by stopping financial support to student organizations receiving funds from foreign adversaries, as defined by the U.S. government. This bill aims to protect the autonomy of Texas public universities while preventing the influence of foreign governments on student groups.
As proposed, S.B. 2683 amends current law relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from providing benefits to a student organization that receives financial support from an entity of concern.
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 51.93151, as follows:
Sec. 51.93151. PROHIBITION ON PROVIDING FUNDING AND OTHER BENEFITS TO CERTAIN STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS. (a) Defines "benefit," "student organization," "entity of concern," and "institution of higher education."
(b) Prohibits an institution of higher education, notwithstanding Section 51.9315 (Protected Expression on Campus), from providing any benefit to a student organization that receives financial support from an entity of concern.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 20252026 academic year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.