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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education |
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from providing financial support to nonprofit media organizations. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Free Press Act. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 51.980 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.980. FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF NONPROFIT MEDIA |
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ORGANIZATION PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "institution of |
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higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(b) Notwithstanding any other law, an institution of higher |
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education may not use funds from any source to provide financial |
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support, including through the purchase of a membership, |
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sponsorship, or advertising services, to a media organization that |
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is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a), Internal |
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Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed as an exempt organization in |
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Section 501(c)(3) of that code. |
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SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this |
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section, Section 51.980, Education Code, as added by this Act, |
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applies only to an expenditure of funds that is made on or after the |
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effective date of this Act. |
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(b) Section 51.980, Education Code, as added by this Act, |
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does not affect an expenditure of funds made under the terms of a |
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contract entered into before the effective date of this Act. An |
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expenditure of funds made under the terms of a contract entered into |
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before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in |
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effect on the date the contract was entered into, and the former law |
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is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |