S.B. No. 2430 is a legislative bill designed to enhance the protection of Texas public institutions of higher education from foreign adversaries and to strengthen the prosecution of trade secret theft. The bill introduces Chapter 51B to the Education Code, which outlines definitions and provisions regarding foreign adversaries and foreign sources. It prohibits institutions from accepting gifts or entering contracts with foreign adversaries without prior approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and mandates reporting of such gifts or contracts, including detailed information about their nature and purpose. Non-compliance will result in civil and administrative penalties, with the attorney general empowered to sue for these penalties. Institutions are also prohibited from using state or federal funds to pay these penalties and are incentivized to report violations.

Additionally, the bill establishes a framework for screening foreign researchers, requiring specific documentation and the creation of a research integrity office within each institution to oversee this process. It mandates the development of an international travel approval program for faculty and research staff, requiring preapproval for any employment-related foreign travel. The bill also introduces definitions related to foreign agents and governments in the Penal Code, classifying offenses benefiting these entities as felonies of the second degree. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is tasked with conducting an operational audit of the new regulations by March 31, 2026, and an initial report on foreign travel by December 1, 2026. The provisions will take effect on September 1, 2025, applying only to contracts and offenses occurring after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 31.05 (Penal Code 31)