HB150: HB150 Combating Threats from China Act of 2025 - Higher Education; enact

Currently, Georgia law has no specific requirement for the university system to disclose funding it receives from foreign governments or entities considered national security threats. House Bill 150 fills in a previously reserved section of state law (O.C.G.A. § 20-3-84) to create that requirement. Under the bill, the university system must report to the Governor and the legislature's higher education committees by January 31 and July 31 each year, covering any funding over $1,000 from a 'foreign country of concern' (one designated a foreign adversary by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce), a related foreign entity, or a foreign individual tied to such a country. Reports must detail the amount, type, source, related contracts, and purpose of the funding. Tuition payments from foreign students or their families are exempted from the reporting rule. The bill also gives itself a short title referencing threats from foreign countries of concern.

• Creates a new reporting requirement for the University System of Georgia covering funding from foreign countries, entities, or individuals designated as concerns.
• Defines 'foreign country of concern' by reference to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce's foreign adversary designation as of February 4, 2025.
• Requires semiannual reports (by January 31 and July 31) to the Governor and the House and Senate higher education committees.
• Specifies that reports must include the funding amount, type, source details, related contracts, and stated purpose.
• Exempts tuition and related fee payments from individuals or families from the reporting requirement.
• Gives the Act a short title, the 'Combating Threats from Foreign Countries of Concern Act of 2025 - Higher Education.'

The University System of Georgia and its governing board must compile and submit the reports. The Governor and the chairs of the House and Senate higher education committees receive them. Foreign governments, institutions, and individuals connected to designated adversary countries, and international students paying tuition, are also referenced in the bill's scope.

Georgians would gain more visibility into whether public universities are receiving money from governments or entities the federal government considers national security threats. University administrators would face new paperwork obligations, while the exemption for tuition payments means most international students would not be affected.

• Section 1 names the short title as the 'Combating Threats from Foreign Countries of Concern Act of 2025 - Higher Education.'
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 20-3-84 to define 'foreign country of concern,' 'foreign entity of concern,' 'foreign individual of concern,' and 'funding' (over $1,000 cumulative).
• Section 2(b) requires semiannual reports by January 31 and July 31 detailing funding amount, type, source, related contracts, and purpose.
• Section 2(c) exempts tuition or fee payments made by individuals or families for students attending university system programs.
• Section 3 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-05-12Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-05-12Act 127
3. 2025-05-12House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-09House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-04-04House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2025-03-31Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2025-03-31Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2025-03-27Senate Read Second Time (Senate)

• Tim Fleming (R, HD-114)Primary sponsor
• Houston Gaines (R, HD-120)
• Carter Barrett (R, HD-024)
• Mitchell Scoggins (R, HD-014)
• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 6, 2025

   145 yea, 22 nay (9 not voting, 4 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #203

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   32 yea, 21 nay (1 not voting, 2 absent)

   Adoption Of Amendment #1 By The Senator From The 30th: Senate Vote #344

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   32 yea, 19 nay (3 not voting, 2 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #345

4. PassedHouse voteApril 4, 2025

   98 yea, 64 nay (6 not voting, 12 absent)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #409

• higher education funding
• foreign influence
• university system oversight
• national security
• transparency reporting