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H.B. No. 128 AN ACT relating to certain sister-city agreements between governmental entities and foreign countries and communities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 795 to read as follows: CHAPTER 795. SISTER-CITY AGREEMENTS Sec. 795.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Foreign adversary" means: (A) China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; or (B) a country that is a designated country for purposes of Chapter 2275. (2) "Governmental entity" means a state agency or a political subdivision of this state. (3) "Sister-city agreement" means an agreement that: (A) is between a governmental entity and a country other than the United States or a community located in a country other than the United States; (B) is recognized by a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that serves as the national membership organization for individual sister cities, counties, and states across the United States; and (C) reflects a commitment to foster and strengthen opportunities for cultural and educational exchange programs and tourism and to encourage other types of bilateral cooperation between the parties to the agreement. (4) "State agency" has the meaning assigned by Section 751.001. Sec. 795.002. STATE POLICY REGARDING AGREEMENTS. It is the policy of this state to encourage sister-city agreements between governmental entities and countries that are allies of the United States, including countries designated as major non-NATO allies under federal law and the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan, and communities located in those countries. Sec. 795.003. CERTAIN AGREEMENTS PROHIBITED. A governmental entity may not establish, maintain, or renew a sister-city agreement with: (1) a country that is a foreign adversary; or (2) a community located in a country described by Subdivision (1). Sec. 795.004. WITHDRAWAL FROM CERTAIN EXISTING AGREEMENTS. (a) A governmental entity that on September 1, 2025, is a party to a sister-city agreement described by Section 795.003 shall withdraw from the agreement not later than October 1, 2025. (b) This section expires January 1, 2027. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 128 was passed by the House on April 30, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 104, Nays 32, 2 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 128 was passed by the Senate on May 25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor
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