BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 2683
89R27564 CXP-D	By: Hughes
	Education K-16
	4/16/2025
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Concerns have grown over the potential for foreign governments, particularly the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to use student organizations as tools to advance political, economic, and ideological goals that may conflict with U.S. interests.

In 2019, concerns emerged about Chinese Student and Scholar Associations (CSSAs) at U.S. universities being used by the CCP to promote its agenda, especially regarding the Hong Kong protests and the treatment of Uyghur Muslims. These organizations, often funded and guided by Chinese consulates, were accused of pressuring students to support CCP policies, surveilling dissenters, and suppressing free speech. In response, the U.S. government investigated CSSAs for foreign influence and imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials linked to these groups, raising alarms about foreign interference in academic institutions.

S.B. 2683 addresses these concerns by stopping financial support to student organizations receiving funds from foreign adversaries, as defined by the U.S. government. This bill aims to protect the autonomy of Texas public universities while preventing the influence of foreign governments on student groups.

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 2683 amends current law relating to certain prohibitions in relation to a student organization at a public institution of higher education receiving financial support from a foreign adversary.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.93151, as follows:

Sec. 51.93151. PROHIBITIONS IN RELATION TO CERTAIN FOREIGN INFLUENCE ON STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS. (a) Defines "benefit," "student organization," "foreign adversary," and "institution of higher education."

(b) Prohibits a student organization at an institution of higher education from accepting a gift from a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary or entering into a contract or agreement with a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary under which the student organization receives financial support.

(c) Provides that Subsection (b) does not prohibit a student organization at an institution of higher education from accepting member dues or fees.

(d) Requires each student organization at an institution of higher education annually to certify to the institution the organization's compliance with Subsection (b).

(e) Prohibits an institution of higher education, notwithstanding Section 51.9315 (Protected Expression on Campus), from providing any benefit to a student organization that violates this section. Requires an institution of higher education that determines a student organization has violated this section to terminate the organization's recognition or registration, as applicable.

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2025�2026 academic year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.