A new measure has been filed in the Texas House that aims to block universities from accepting funding from the Chinese, Russian, North Korean, and Iranian governments.
State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) filed House Bill 173 earlier this month.
The new legislation lists certain specific countries and entities that higher education institutions in Texas will no longer be permitted to accept gifts and grants from, if it is adopted.
In addition to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, the act mentions that universities cannot solicit grants from governments that have provided “material support” to foreign terrorist organizations.
“The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section,” the measure reads.
Texas has continually fought back against foreign influence in the state’s higher education system.
Gov. Greg Abbott recently directed state entities, including funds controlled by higher education institutions, to block new investments in China and to simultaneously divest from any existing holdings tied to the Chinese Communist Party.
“As Chinese aggression against the United States and its allies seems likely to continue, the financial risk associated with holding investments in China will also rise,” Abbott wrote in a letter to state agencies last week. “Therefore, all investments of state funds in China must be evaluated and immediately addressed.”
Abbott also directed public institutions of higher education to take steps to safeguard intellectual property.
Texas Scorecard has extensively covered the reach of the Chinese Communist Party into Texas’ education system.
The legislative session begins on January 14.
