The bill, H.B. No. 4788, seeks to prohibit public and private institutions of higher education in Texas from accepting federal funding for embryonic or fetal stem cell research. It introduces a new section, Section 51.994, to the Education Code, which defines "institution of higher education" and explicitly states that these institutions cannot accept such federal funding. Additionally, if the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board finds that a private institution has violated this prohibition, the institution will be barred from receiving any state funding for the following academic year, and students enrolled at that institution will not be eligible for tuition equalization grants.

The provisions of this bill will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 academic year. The bill will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of the Texas Legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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