Bill > SB1273

This bill establishes the Higher Education Research Security Council to promote secure academic research at tier one research institutions in Texas while mitigating the risk of foreign espionage and interference. The council will be composed of research security officers from Texas A&M University System and other participating higher education institutions, with a designated presiding officer from the Texas A&M University System. The council's key responsibilities include identifying best practices for secure research, developing a research security policy for tier one research institutions, creating an accreditation process for security excellence, promoting academic security seminars, and developing an annual training program for security officers that covers background checks and research security tools. The council is required to meet quarterly, either in person or via video conference, and must submit an annual confidential report to the governor, attorney general, and legislative committees. The bill also stipulates that the council can accept gifts and grants but is prohibited from accepting funding from entities associated with specific countries designated as potential security risks, including those identified as foreign adversaries or with restrictions on federal contracts. The council is set to be established by October 1, 2025, with its initial meeting to occur by January 1, 2026, and the act will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1273