Amend HB 1295 by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and by renumbering existing SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:
SECTION ____. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.955 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.955. DISCLOSURE OF PUBLICLY FUNDED RESEARCH. (a) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) A contract for research that is conducted by an institution of higher education and supported by appropriated funds must provide that any data generated or produced in the course of executing the research contract must be available to the public on request.
(c) A state agency that expends appropriated funds may not:
(1) enter into a research contract with an institution of higher education if that contract contains a provision precluding public disclosure of any data generated or produced in the course of executing the contract; or
(2) adopt a rule that is based on research conducted under a contract entered into with an institution of higher education unless the agency has made the results of the research and all data supporting the research publicly available.
(d) An institution of higher education shall respond to requests for information under this section in accordance with Chapter 552, Government Code.
(e) This section does not require the public disclosure of personal identifying information or any other information the disclosure of which is otherwise prohibited by law.