Senate Bill 653 aims to impose strict prohibitions on foreign influence at University of Wisconsin System institutions, particularly concerning collaborations and partnerships with entities from countries deemed foreign adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Qatar. The bill prohibits these institutions from entering into collaboration agreements, academic partnerships, or research partnerships with colleges or universities from these countries, as well as from accepting grants from them. An exception is provided, allowing such agreements if approved by the Board of Regents, contingent upon a national security risk assessment and a determination that the partnership is beneficial and not detrimental to U.S. safety. Notably, during the 2025-27 fiscal biennium, no agreements with Russia are permitted.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Board of Regents adopt policies to prevent the procurement of educational software from prohibited business entities and restricts the solicitation or acceptance of gifts from foreign adversaries. It requires the Board to submit an annual report detailing all collaboration agreements and partnerships with foreign adversaries, including information on national security assessments. If any provisions of the bill are violated, the Joint Committee on Finance is empowered to determine the monetary value of the violation, which will result in financial penalties for the institution involved.