TX HB4762

Establishes the Higher Education Research Security Council to promote secure academic research at R1 tier one research institutions and mitigate risks of foreign espionage and interference

Council membership includes research security officers from public institutions designated under Section 51.956 and research security officers from private institutions that voluntarily elect to participate

The Texas A&M University System's research security officer serves as the initial presiding officer; the council must meet at least quarterly in person or by video conference

Council responsibilities include identifying best practices, developing mandatory research security policies, establishing a security excellence accreditation process, and offering annual training on researcher background checks and security tools

Annual reports on research security status must be submitted to the governor, attorney general, and legislative committees, but reports are confidential and exempt from public disclosure; council may accept funding but not from foreign adversaries, Chinese military companies, or entities prohibited under federal law

Council members must be designated by October 1, 2025, with the initial meeting held by January 1, 2026; effective date is September 1, 2025