§1826.4. Foreign travel; research institutions

            A. By July 1, 2023, each postsecondary education institution that receives state appropriations and has a research budget of ten million dollars or more shall establish an international travel approval and monitoring program. The program shall require preapproval and screening by the institution for any employment-related foreign travel to foreign adversary countries and employment-related foreign activities engaged in by any faculty member, researcher, or any other research department staff with foreign adversaries. This requirement is in addition to any other travel approval process applicable to the institution.

            B.(1) Preapproval by the institution shall be based on the applicant's review and acknowledgment of guidance published by the institution which relates to countries under sanctions or other restrictions imposed by the state or federal government, including any federal license requirement; customs rules; export controls; restrictions on taking institution property, including intellectual property, abroad; restrictions on presentations, teaching, and interactions with foreign colleagues; and other subjects important to the research and academic integrity of the institution.

            (2) Preapproval shall be based on the binding commitment of the individual traveler not to violate the institution's limitations on travel and activities abroad and to obey all applicable federal laws. Any person subject to this Section traveling abroad representing their respective institution, upon return, shall report any gifts of funds or promises to pay offered by a foreign adversary or any entity representing the interests of a foreign adversary.

            C. The postsecondary education institution shall maintain records of all employment-related foreign travel requests and approvals to foreign adversary countries; expenses reimbursed by the institution or affiliate organization of the institution during travel, including for transportation, food, and lodging; and payments and honoraria received during the travel and activities, including for transportation, food, and lodging. The institution shall keep records of the purpose of the travel and any records related to the foreign activity review. These records shall be retained for at least three years or any longer period of time required by any other applicable state or federal law.

            D. The institution shall provide an annual report of travel to foreign adversary countries listing individual travelers, foreign locations visited, and foreign institutions visited to the board of supervisors of the applicable institution.

            E. By July 1, 2025, the office of the legislative auditor shall perform an operational audit regarding the implementation of this Section.

            Acts 2022, No. 767, §1, eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, No. 106, §1, eff. July 1, 2023.