Committee debates bill to bar universities from research and agricultural contracts with certain foreign parties; lawmakers raise concerns over scope

The Senate Education Committee debated a bill that would bar institutions of higher education from conducting research, entering nondisclosure agreements, engaging in production of agricultural products or selling agricultural products — including seeds — with parties tied to certain foreign governments or entities.

Senator Blake Johnson, sponsor of the measure, said the bill targets contracts between state institutions and foreign entities he described as adversaries. "We don't wanna help that Chinese based company to develop anything that will compete and... take our intellectual property," Johnson said, describing concerns about seed companies and foreign purchasers.

Several senators pressed Johnson on the bill’s scope and language. Senator Murdock and others asked whether the prohibition would block individuals lawfully present…