S.B. No. 2430 is a legislative bill designed to strengthen the protection of Texas public institutions of higher education from foreign adversaries and enhance the prosecution of trade secret theft. It introduces Chapter 51B to the Education Code, which outlines definitions and provisions regarding foreign adversaries and foreign sources. The bill prohibits institutions from accepting gifts or entering contracts with foreign adversaries without prior approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, requiring detailed reporting of such transactions. Civil penalties for non-compliance are established, with fines escalating from $10,000 for the first violation to $20,000 for subsequent violations. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a public portal for transparency and outlines the investigation process for alleged violations.

The legislation also imposes regulations on cultural exchange agreements, requiring institutions to report these agreements to the coordinating board and relevant federal agencies, with administrative penalties for non-compliance. It mandates a screening process for foreign researchers and establishes an international travel approval program for research-related travel, ensuring preapproval from the research integrity office. Furthermore, the bill requires institutions to implement safeguards for academic partnerships with foreign adversaries, with oversight from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The bill amends the Penal Code to define terms related to foreign agents and establishes penalties for offenses benefiting foreign entities, with the changes taking effect on September 1, 2025, and applying only to contracts and offenses occurring after that date.

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