Texas Senate passes Bill 1067 to curb foreign influence in higher education funding

In a pivotal Senate session held on April 10, 2025, Texas lawmakers addressed growing concerns over foreign influence in the state's public institutions of higher education. The discussions centered around Senate Bill 1067, a legislative measure aimed at safeguarding academic integrity and national security by prohibiting Texas universities and their employees from accepting funds from designated hostile foreign entities.

As the session unfolded, members expressed alarm over the potential risks posed by foreign governments, political parties, and corporations. The bill specifically targets entities from nations identified by U.S. intelligence as national security threats, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Under the proposed legislation, institutions and their employees, including spouses, would be barred from soliciting or accepting gifts, grants, donations, or investments from these sources. Any funds received from these entities in the previous state fiscal biennium would need to be returned.

Senator Eckhart, who led the discussion, emphasized the necessity of the bill, citing past incidents where university employees had concealed ties to foreign governments, which posed significant risks to national security. He pointed to a notable case involving a Texas A&M professor who was arrested for conducting research while hiding connections to the Chinese government.

The bill also grants the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board the authority to enforce these restrictions, ensuring that public institutions remain free from foreign influence that could compromise their operations. Lawmakers debated the implications of including spouses in the restrictions, with some questioning whether this was an overreach. However, Eckhart defended the measure, arguing that it was essential to protect Texas from nations that have shown hostility toward the U.S.

Questions arose regarding the lack of a value threshold for the gifts and the penalties for violations. While the bill mandates the return of any accepted funds, it does not impose criminal penalties, leaving some lawmakers concerned about the effectiveness of the legislation.

As the session concluded, the bill's proponents remained optimistic about its potential to fortify Texas's educational infrastructure against external manipulation. The discussions highlighted a growing awareness of the need for vigilance in safeguarding academic institutions from foreign interference, setting the stage for further legislative action in the future.