(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Foreign country of concern” means the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, or the Syrian Arab Republic, including any agency of or any other entity under significant control of such foreign country of concern.
(b) “Political subdivision” has the same meaning as in s. 1.01(8) and includes any entity under the control of or established for the benefit of the political subdivision.
(c) “Public school” means any education institution under the supervision of a school district and any entity under the control of or established for the benefit of a public school or school district.
(d) “State agency” means any agency or unit of state government created or established by law and any entity under the control of or established for the benefit of a state agency.
(e) “State college” means any postsecondary education institution under the supervision of the State Board of Education, including any entity under the control of or established for the benefit of a state college.
(f) “State university” means any state university under the supervision of the Board of Governors, including any entity under the control of or established for the benefit of a state university.
(2) A state agency, political subdivision, public school, state college, or state university authorized to expend state-appropriated funds or levy ad valorem taxes may not participate in any agreement with or accept any grant from a foreign country of concern, or any entity controlled by a foreign country of concern, which:
(a) Constrains the freedom of contract of such public entity;
(b) Allows the curriculum or values of a program in the state to be directed or controlled by the foreign country of concern; or
(c) Promotes an agenda detrimental to the safety or security of the United States or its residents. Prior to the execution of any cultural exchange agreement with a foreign country of concern, the substance of the agreement shall be shared with federal agencies concerned with protecting national security or enforcing trade sanctions, embargoes, or other restrictions under federal law. If such federal agency provides information suggesting that such agreement promotes an agenda detrimental to the safety or security of the United States or its residents, the public entity may not enter into the agreement.
(3) A state agency, political subdivision, public school, state college, or state university may not accept anything of value conditioned upon participation in a program or other endeavor to promote the language or culture of a foreign country of concern.
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Now, let's delve into the concepts outlined in the provided article:
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Foreign Country of Concern:
- The term encompasses specific nations: People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, or the Syrian Arab Republic.
- This includes any agency or entity significantly controlled by the mentioned foreign countries.
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Political Subdivision:
- Refers to entities falling under the definition in s. 1.01(8), which includes entities under the control of or established for the benefit of the political subdivision.
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Public School:
- Encompasses any educational institution supervised by a school district.
- Also includes entities under the control of or established for the benefit of a public school or school district.
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State Agency:
- Refers to any agency or unit of state government established by law.
- Encompasses entities under the control of or established for the benefit of a state agency.
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State College:
- Pertains to any postsecondary education institution under the State Board of Education's supervision.
- Includes entities under the control of or established for the benefit of a state college.
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State University:
- Refers to any state university under the supervision of the Board of Governors.
- Includes entities under the control of or established for the benefit of a state university.
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Prohibitions on Agreements and Grants:
- State agencies, political subdivisions, public schools, state colleges, or state universities are restricted from engaging in agreements or accepting grants from foreign countries of concern or entities controlled by them if such agreements:
- Constrain the freedom of contract of the public entity.
- Allow the curriculum or values of a program in the state to be directed or controlled by the foreign country of concern.
- Promote an agenda detrimental to the safety or security of the United States or its residents.
- State agencies, political subdivisions, public schools, state colleges, or state universities are restricted from engaging in agreements or accepting grants from foreign countries of concern or entities controlled by them if such agreements:
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Cultural Exchange Agreements:
- Before executing any cultural exchange agreement with a foreign country of concern, the substance of the agreement must be shared with federal agencies concerned with national security or enforcing trade sanctions. If a federal agency suggests that the agreement is detrimental to the safety or security of the United States, the public entity may not enter into the agreement.
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Prohibition on Accepting Anything of Value:
- State entities are prohibited from accepting anything of value conditioned upon participation in a program or endeavor to promote the language or culture of a foreign country of concern.
These provisions aim to safeguard the autonomy, security, and values of state entities by imposing strict limitations on their engagements with foreign countries and entities under their influence. The language reflects a clear commitment to national security interests and the protection of educational and cultural independence.
