S.B. No. 1517
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to prohibiting certain academic boycotts of foreign
  countries by public institutions of higher education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.987 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.987.  CERTAIN ACADEMIC BOYCOTTS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES
  PROHIBITED. (a)  In this section, "institution of higher
  education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  Subject to Subsection (c), an institution of higher
  education may not implement an academic boycott of a foreign
  country that would prevent a student or faculty member of the
  institution from:
               (1)  studying or conducting research in or about the
  country; or
               (2)  interacting with the country's scholars or
  representatives.
         (c)  An institution of higher education may implement an
  academic boycott described by Subsection (b) of a foreign country
  included by the United States Department of State on a list of state
  sponsors of terrorism.  The boycott may not prevent a student
  enrolled at the institution from studying or being educated about
  the country.
         (d)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
  adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1517 passed the Senate on
  April 26, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 25, 2023, by the
  following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1517 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 22, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 103,
  Nays 26, sixteen present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor