House committee advances bill requiring universities to report large foreign gifts, set waiver process

Lansing — The Michigan House Committee on Government Operations advanced House Bill 42‑39 on a voice and roll-call vote Thursday after adopting a substitute that narrows the federal reference to the U.S. Department of State and increases university‑board involvement.

The bill would require public colleges and universities to report gifts, contracts or agreements from foreign sources that meet or exceed a $50,000 threshold and to obtain a waiver before accepting funds or entering covered agreements with countries or entities designated by the bill as “countries of concern.” The substitute adopted in committee names the U.S. Department of State as the federal agency to be consulted for determinations and increases the role of state higher‑education governance in reviews.

Sponsor testimony framed the measure as a national‑security and risk‑management step for Michigan. Representative Brock, testifying for the bill, said the intent is “transparency plus accountability equals risk mitigation.” Brock told the committee federal investigations and reports have shown foreign money and partnerships have aided foreign military and technological advances and that the state needs “guardrails” for publicly funded institutions. He said the bill would require reports identifying donors,…