The bill establishes the Higher Education Research Security Council within the Texas Education Code, specifically adding Section 51.957. The council aims to enhance the security of academic research at tier one research institutions while addressing the risks associated with foreign espionage and interference. It will consist of research security officers designated under a related section and will be led by the officer from The Texas A&M University System. The council is tasked with identifying best practices for secure research, developing a research security policy, establishing an accreditation process for security excellence, promoting attendance at relevant seminars, and providing annual training for security officers.

Additionally, the council is required to meet quarterly and submit an annual report on research security status and recommendations to the attorney general's office and legislative committees overseeing higher education. The report will be confidential and exempt from public disclosure. The council may accept donations for its purposes but is prohibited from soliciting or accepting funds from certain countries identified as concerns by the U.S. government. The bill mandates that council members be designated by October 1, 2025, with the first meeting scheduled for January 1, 2026, and it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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