Bill > HB128

This bill establishes new regulations for sister-city agreements involving governmental entities in Texas, specifically targeting relationships with foreign countries. The legislation defines a "sister-city agreement" as a formal arrangement between a Texas governmental entity and a foreign country or community, recognized by a specific nonprofit organization, aimed at fostering cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges. The bill identifies four countries as "foreign adversaries" - China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia - and prohibits Texas governmental entities from establishing, maintaining, or renewing sister-city agreements with these countries or their communities. The state's policy explicitly encourages sister-city agreements with U.S. allies, including countries designated as major non-NATO allies and Taiwan. Any existing sister-city agreements with foreign adversaries must be withdrawn by October 1, 2025, with this requirement set to expire on January 1, 2027. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and represents a significant policy stance on international municipal relationships, particularly targeting potential connections with countries considered adversarial to U.S. interests.