By: King, et al. S.B. No. 1517
 
  (Paul)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
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.
         (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.