BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 667

By: Seliger

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

S.B. 667 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to work with public institutions of higher education, publishing companies, and any other interested persons THECB considers appropriate, to create a feasibility study to determine whether it is feasible to require researchers to submit an electronic copy of each original research paper to a state agency once the paper is accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

The study will examine the time requirements for submission, the manner for making the research papers available to the public, the state agencies that have the resources necessary to collect research papers and coordinate their dissemination, and federal law requirements on the publication of a research paper by a researcher whose research is funded with federal money.

This legislation will only apply to a researcher whose research is funded wholly or in part with state or federal money, or if the research is conducted in Texas or by a public higher education institution.

S.B. 667 amends current law relating to a study on the feasibility of requiring certain researchers to make research papers available to the public.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0661, as follows:

Sec. 61.0661.  FEASIBILITY STUDY ON COLLECTING PUBLISHED RESEARCH.  (a) Provides that this section applies only to a researcher whose research is funded wholly or partly with state money, or federal money, if the research is conducted in this state or by an institution of higher education.

(b) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in consultation with institutions of higher education, publishing companies, and any other interested person THECB considers appropriate, to study the feasibility of requiring each researcher to submit to a state agency an electronic copy of each original research paper by the researcher that is accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.  Requires that the study examine the time requirements for submitting a research paper; the manner for making the research paper available to the public, including posting on an Internet website; the state agencies that have the resources necessary to collect research papers and coordinate the dissemination of the research papers; and federal law requirements on the publication of a research paper by a researcher whose research is funded with federal money.

(c) Requires THECB, not later than December 1, 2014, to report the results of the study, its findings, and any recommendations to the legislature.

(d) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2015.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2013.