The bill, S.B. No. 1741, aims to enhance measures against espionage and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education in Texas. It introduces a new subchapter, Subchapter J, to Chapter 51 of the Education Code, which includes several key provisions. Institutions are required to report foreign funding received from entities, particularly from China, and are prohibited from accepting gifts, grants, or donations from the Chinese government or its controlled entities. Additionally, the bill mandates that each researcher at these institutions undergo training on espionage and intellectual property theft prevention, covering topics such as national security risks, methods of theft, signs of suspicious activity, protective measures, and reporting procedures.

Furthermore, the bill requires the establishment of a reporting system for students, faculty, and staff to report any suspicious activities related to espionage or intellectual property theft. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is tasked with adopting necessary rules to implement these measures. Institutions must submit their initial reports and ensure that researchers complete the required training by September 1, 2024. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2023.

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