Bill Text: TX HB845 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from providing financial support to nonprofit media organizations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-01 - Referred to Higher Education [HB845 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB845-Introduced.html
 
 
  By: Patterson H.B. No. 845
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education
  from providing financial support to nonprofit media organizations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act shall be known as the Free Press Act.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.980 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.980.  FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF NONPROFIT MEDIA
  ORGANIZATION PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "institution of
  higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, an institution of higher
  education may not use funds from any source to provide financial
  support, including through the purchase of a membership,
  sponsorship, or advertising services, to a media organization that
  is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a), Internal
  Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed as an exempt organization in
  Section 501(c)(3) of that code.
         SECTION 3.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
  section, Section 51.980, Education Code, as added by this Act,
  applies only to an expenditure of funds that is made on or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         (b)  Section 51.980, Education Code, as added by this Act,
  does not affect an expenditure of funds made under the terms of a
  contract entered into before the effective date of this Act. An
  expenditure of funds made under the terms of a contract entered into
  before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
  effect on the date the contract was entered into, and the former law
  is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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