SB 1741 - Foreign espionage in universities

SB 1741 establishes strict guidelines to protect Texas public universities from foreign influence and intellectual property theft. It mandates transparency in foreign financial ties, prohibits funds from hostile foreign governments, and requires training to safeguard sensitive research. By closing potential channels for espionage, it helps prevent taxpayer-funded innovations from falling into the hands of foreign adversaries. This legislation aligns with fiscally conservative values by defending national interests, protecting investments in higher education, and ensuring that public resources are not exploited for foreign gain. For these reasons, TFR supports SB 1741.