BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1524
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Transparency of the relationship between research funders, researchers, and research facilities is crucial to maintaining the integrity and reliability of research results. There is growing concern that drug studies funded by the pharmaceutical industry might affect either research methodology to obtain favorable results or suppress unfavorable findings of the safety, clinical effectiveness, or cost of a drug. Many academic medical centers have financial stakes in companies that sponsor research within their facilities, and department chairs receive departmental income as well as personal income from drug companies.
This bill would require institutions of higher education to report the amount of funds received from pharmaceutical companies for research to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The bill also requires THECB to submit a report containing this information to the legislature.
As proposed, S.B. 1524 amends current law relating to a report regarding research funds received by public institutions of higher education or employees of those institutions from pharmaceutical companies.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 61.0692, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0692, as follows:
Sec. 61.0692. RESEARCH FUNDS RECEIVED BY INSTITUTIONS FROM PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES. (a) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to require each institution of higher education to report to THECB not later than October 1 of each even-numbered year the amount of money received by the institution or by individual faculty or staff members of the institution from pharmaceutical companies in the two preceding state fiscal years in connection with research or related activities developed or conducted at the institution or at a research facility operated or administered by the institution.
(b) Requires THECB, not later than the following December 1, to prepare and submit to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a written report based on the information received by THECB under Subsection (a).
(c) Requires THECB to adopt rules for the administration of this section, including rules requiring faculty and staff members to disclose information required for an institution's report.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009