To require audits of institutions with respect to disclosures of foreign gifts, and for other purposes. | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 3284Education

To require audits of institutions with respect to disclosures of foreign gifts, and for other purposes.

INTRO MAY 8· LAST ACTION MAY 8

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WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because it aims to shed light on potential foreign influence within American higher education, which is a key area for research, innovation, and national security. Currently, there are requirements for colleges to report foreign gifts and contracts, but enforcement has been a concern. This bill introduces mandatory audits and stiff financial penalties, significantly strengthening oversight.

If this bill becomes law, it could lead to greater transparency regarding the financial relationships between U.S. institutions and foreign governments or entities. This transparency could address concerns about intellectual property theft, espionage, or undue influence on academic freedom and research priorities. If it doesn't become law, the current reporting system for foreign gifts and contracts might continue with less robust enforcement, potentially leaving gaps in understanding foreign financial ties to U.S. universities.

KEY PROVISIONS

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PROVISION 01

Requires the Secretary of Education to audit at least 30 institutions every two years to ensure they are properly reporting foreign gifts and contracts.

This creates a systematic enforcement mechanism for existing transparency laws, rather than relying on voluntary compliance or reactive investigations.

PROVISION 02

Establishes criteria for prioritizing audits, focusing on institutions with large endowments, past reporting issues, or ties to "foreign entities of concern."

This ensures that audit resources are directed towards institutions most likely to have significant foreign financial ties or past compliance problems.

PROVISION 03

Imposes a 300% excise tax on income colleges and universities receive from foreign countries identified as "countries of concern."

This provision aims to significantly deter U.S. institutions from accepting funds from countries deemed to pose national security risks.

PROVISION 04

Imposes a 110% excise tax on any foreign gifts or contracts that an institution fails to report, as identified during an audit.

This provides a strong financial penalty for non-compliance with reporting requirements, aiming to compel institutions to be fully transparent.

PROVISION 05

Requires the audit results to be reported to Congress and made publicly available on the Department of Education website.

This increases public awareness and accountability regarding foreign funding in higher education.

SPONSORSHIP

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ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAY 8

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

MAY 8

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 3284

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedMay 8, 2025

Last actionMay 8, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HOUSE · INTRODUCED MAY 8, 2025

House BillHR 3284Education

To require audits of institutions with respect to disclosures of foreign gifts, and for other purposes.

INTRODUCED MAY 8, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 8, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

6 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires the Secretary of Education to audit at least 30 institutions every two years to ensure they are properly reporting foreign gifts and contracts.

This creates a systematic enforcement mechanism for existing transparency laws, rather than relying on voluntary compliance or reactive investigations.

med

Establishes criteria for prioritizing audits, focusing on institutions with large endowments, past reporting issues, or ties to "foreign entities of concern."

This ensures that audit resources are directed towards institutions most likely to have significant foreign financial ties or past compliance problems.

high

Imposes a 300% excise tax on income colleges and universities receive from foreign countries identified as "countries of concern."

This provision aims to significantly deter U.S. institutions from accepting funds from countries deemed to pose national security risks.

high

Imposes a 110% excise tax on any foreign gifts or contracts that an institution fails to report, as identified during an audit.

This provides a strong financial penalty for non-compliance with reporting requirements, aiming to compel institutions to be fully transparent.

med

Requires the audit results to be reported to Congress and made publicly available on the Department of Education website.

This increases public awareness and accountability regarding foreign funding in higher education.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment.

First audit must begin.

Every 2 years thereafter.

Subsequent audits.

Not later than 30 days after the date on which the audit is completed.

Secretary must submit report on audit results to Congress and make it publicly available.

After the date which is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Excise tax amendments apply to taxable years beginning.

Not later than 180 days after the institution is notified of audit results.

Tax on unreported foreign funding due.

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
administrative/civil	300% of income received from any foreign country of concern	Applicable educational institutions
administrative/civil	110% of the unreported foreign funding	Institutions failing to report foreign funding as determined by an audit

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965: A part of federal law that requires colleges and universities to publicly report large gifts and contracts they receive from foreign sources.
Excise Tax: A special tax placed on certain goods, services, or activities, often used to discourage specific behaviors.
Foreign Country of Concern: A country identified by the U.S. government as posing a national security risk or engaging in activities harmful to U.S. interests, as defined in a separate federal law.
Endowment: Financial assets or property donated to a non-profit institution, like a university, usually with the stipulation that the principal remain untouched, and only the investment income be used for specific purposes.
Eligible Educational Institution: A school that offers postsecondary education and is eligible to participate in federal student aid programs. This generally refers to colleges and universities.
Unreported Foreign Funding: Gifts, contracts, or other money received by a college or university from foreign sources that was required to be reported to the government but was not.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAY 8, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

MAY 8, 25

INTROREFERRAL

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To require audits of institutions with respect to disclosures of foreign gifts, and for other purposes.

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

To require audits of institutions with respect to disclosures of foreign gifts, and for other purposes.

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

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