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Bill

HB 150

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

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carter Barrett and 5 co-sponsors

Georgia requires higher education institutions to restrict research partnerships and funding involving China, implementing vetting procedures and disclosure requirements for foreign collaborations.

Effective Date
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Bill Summary · HB 150

Legislative bill overview

HB 150 establishes restrictions on higher education institutions in Georgia regarding research partnerships, funding, and personnel recruitment involving China and Chinese entities. The bill implements vetting procedures and disclosure requirements for academic collaborations and foreign funding sources related to Chinese interests.

Why is this important

Universities conduct significant research with international partners and funding sources; this bill directly affects how Georgia institutions can engage in global academic collaboration and may influence their competitiveness in certain research fields. The legislation reflects broader national concerns about intellectual property protection and foreign influence, but also raises questions about academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Potential points of contention

  • Academic freedom concerns: Restrictions on international research partnerships may limit scholars' ability to collaborate with qualified peers and could discourage cutting-edge research in competitive fields
  • Definitional ambiguity: "Chinese interests" and related terms may be interpreted broadly, potentially affecting legitimate academic exchanges and creating compliance uncertainty for institutions
  • Economic competitiveness: Limiting research partnerships could disadvantage Georgia universities in attracting grants, talent, and research opportunities compared to less-restricted peer institutions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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