By: Seliger S.B. No. 667
 
  (Branch)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study on the feasibility of requiring certain
  researchers to make research papers available to the public.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 61.0661 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.0661.  FEASIBILITY STUDY ON COLLECTING PUBLISHED
  RESEARCH. (a)  This section applies only to a researcher whose
  research is funded wholly or partly with:
               (1)  state money; or
               (2)  federal money, if the research is conducted in
  this state or by an institution of higher education.
         (b)  The board, in consultation with institutions of higher
  education, publishing companies, and any other interested persons
  the board considers appropriate, shall 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. The study
  must examine:
               (1)  the time requirements for submitting a research
  paper;
               (2)  the manner for making the research paper available
  to the public, including posting on an Internet website;
               (3)  the state agencies that have the resources
  necessary to collect research papers and coordinate the
  dissemination of the research papers; and
               (4)  federal law requirements on the publication of a
  research paper by a researcher whose research is funded with
  federal money.
         (c)  Not later than December 1, 2014, the board shall report
  the results of the study, its findings, and any recommendations to
  the legislature.
         (d)  This section expires September 1, 2015.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2013.