The bill mandates that both public and private institutions of higher education in Alabama must annually report funding received from designated "foreign countries of concern," which include nations such as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Qatar, among others. The report must be submitted to the Governor and the Chairs of the House and Senate Education Policy Committees, detailing financial support received during the fiscal year from foreign entities or individuals associated with these countries. Institutions can use existing reports submitted to the National Science Foundation or the U.S. Department of Education to fulfill this requirement, provided they focus on relevant funding sources.

Exceptions to the reporting requirement are included; institutions that did not receive any funding from a foreign country of concern in the previous fiscal year are not obligated to report. Additionally, the bill clarifies that funding for tuition or related expenses from individuals or families does not need to be reported unless it falls under specific federal reporting requirements. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-5-1