The bill establishes the Higher Education Research Security Council within the Education Code, specifically adding Section 51.957. The council aims to promote secure academic research at tier one research institutions while addressing the risks of foreign espionage and interference. It will consist of research security officers from designated institutions and will be responsible for identifying best practices, developing research security policies, establishing an accreditation process for security excellence, and providing training programs for security officers. The council is required to meet quarterly and submit an annual report on research security status to various state officials.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific provisions regarding the council's operations, including the confidentiality of its reports and restrictions on accepting donations from certain entities linked to foreign adversaries. The council is expected to be fully constituted by October 1, 2025, with its first meeting scheduled for January 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()
House Committee Report: ()