2025 House Bill 4239

Higher education: other; foreign influence of state institutions of higher education; prohibit.

A bill to prohibit state institutions of higher education from entering into agreements with foreign actors under certain circumstances; to prohibit state institutions of higher education from receiving grants and other items of value from foreign actors under certain circumstances; to require state institutions of higher education to enter into gift agreements; to establish reporting requirements for certain gifts received by state institutions of higher education and affiliate organizations from certain foreign actors; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities; to prescribe remedies; to prescribe civil sanctions; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.

AI Analysis – Experimental

The legislation restricts state higher education institutions from engaging with certain foreign entities, mandates reporting and agreements for foreign gifts, and empowers the attorney general to enforce compliance, repealing a previous statute.

Introduced in the House

March 13, 2025

Introduced by Rep. William Bruck (R-30) and 14 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Reps. Angela Rigas (R-79), David Martin (R-68), Jay DeBoyer (R-63), Matt Maddock (R-51), Cameron Cavitt (R-106), Jaime Greene (R-65), Tom Kunse (R-100), Gregory Alexander (R-98), Timothy Beson (R-96), Jennifer Wortz (R-35), Nancy Jenkins-Arno (R-34), Joseph Fox (R-101), Luke Meerman (R-89) and Rachelle Smit (R-43)

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

March 26, 2025

Reported with substitute H-1

May 6, 2025

Substitute H-1 concurred in by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-61)

1. Amend page 7, following line 7, by inserting:

“Enacting section 2. This act does not take effect unless all of the following bills of the 103rd Legislature are enacted into law:

(a) Senate Bill No. 3.

(b) Senate Bill No. 4.

(c) Senate Bill No. 5.”.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Joey Andrews (D-38)

1. Amend page 7, following line 7, by inserting:

“Enacting section 2. This act does not take effect unless all of the following bills of the 103rd Legislature are enacted into law:

(a) House Bill No. 4316.

(b) House Bill No. 4317.

(c) House Bill No. 4318.

(d) House Bill No. 4319.

(e) House Bill No. 4320.

(f) House Bill No. 4321.

(g) House Bill No. 4322.

(h) House Bill No. 4323.”.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-48)

1. Amend page 7, following line 7, by inserting:

“Enacting section 2. This act does not take effect unless all of the following bills of the 103rd Legislature are enacted into law:

(a) House Bill No. 4289.

(b) House Bill No. 4290.

(c) House Bill No. 4291.

(d) House Bill No. 4292.

(e) House Bill No. 4293.

(f) House Bill No. 4294.

(g) House Bill No. 4295.

(h) House Bill No. 4296.

(i) House Bill No. 4297.”.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Kara Hope (D-74)

1. Amend page 7, following line 7, by inserting:

“Enacting section 2. This act does not take effect unless all of the following bills of the 103rd Legislature are enacted into law:

(a) House Bill No. 4264.

(b) House Bill No. 4446.

(c) House Bill No. 4447.

(d) House Bill No. 4448.

(e) House Bill No. 4449.

(f) House Bill No. 4450.

(g) House Bill No. 4451.

(h) House Bill No. 4452.

(i) House Bill No. 4453.

(j) House Bill No. 4454.

(k) House Bill No. 4455.

(l) House Bill No. 4456.

(m) House Bill No. 4457.

(n) House Bill No. 4458.”.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 61 to 49 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-90)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

May 13, 2025

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations