Foreign Adversaries - Gifts and Travel

Texas Executive Order GA-48

Governor Abbott issued an executive order (GA-48) on November 19, 2024 relating to the hardening of state government. The order directs state agencies and Texas higher education institutions to “harden state systems and safeguard critical infrastructure, intellectual property and personal information from being accessed by hostile foreign nations that attempt to infiltrate Texas.” The Texas Tech University System has implemented TTUS Regulation 07.16 to comply with Texas Executive Order GA-48, which mandates restrictions regarding interactions with the countries deemed foreign adversaries. Current foreign adversaries listed in 15 C.F.R. § 791.4 are:

• People's Republic of China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China)
• The Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (North Korea)
• The Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran)
• The Republic of Cuba (Cuba)
• The Russian Federation (Russia)
• The Venezuelan politician Nicolás Maduro

Pursuant to Executive Order GA-48, all TTUHSC faculty and staff must adhere to the following requriements*:

*This Executive Order does not apply to students unless the student is also employed by TTUHSC. 

♦ Professional Travel

All professional foreign travel by TTUHSC team members is governed by HSC OP 79.04, International Travel. TTUHSC team members are prohibited from traveling to any of the countries listed above for business purposes.

♦ Personal Travel

TTUHSC team members must notify the institution of any personal travel, including layovers, to the foreign adversary countries listed above. A system is currently being developed to facilitate the collection of this information. In the meantime, please complete this Foreign Adversary Nations Travel Form and send it to Shen Wang at Shen.wang@ttuhsc.edu prior to and no later than seven (7) days after any travel to or through the foreign countries listed above.

→Notification Requirements←

♦ Gifts

TTUHSC team members may not accept any gifts from an entity associated with the countries listed above, regardless of value. TTUHSC team members shall report to Shen Wang (Shen.Wang@ttuhsc.edu), if approached by groups representing the listed foreign adversary countries with an offer of any gift.