Relating to restricting research on potentially pandemic pathogens in this state; creating a civil penalty.

SB 1488 prohibits Texas institutions of higher education from conducting or funding "gain of function research" on pathogens that meet specific criteria for high transmissibility, virulence, or public health threat. The bill defines this research as any work that may enhance a pathogen's ability to spread or cause severe illness. Violating institutions would become ineligible for state funding, creating a civil penalty. This directly affects Texas universities and research facilities conducting such studies, requiring them to halt this specific research type.