BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 803
85R 5954 MCK-D	By: Seliger
	Higher Education
	4/10/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 803 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.

As proposed, S.B. 803 amends current law relating to a study on the feasibility of requiring certain researchers to make research papers available to the public.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0666,� as follows:

Sec. 61.0666. 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 with federal money, if the research is conducted in this state or by an institution of higher education (IHE).

(b) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in consultation with IHEs, publishing companies, and other interested persons 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 the study to examine certain topics relating to the publication and distribution of research papers.

(c) Requires THECB, not later than December 1, 2018, to report the results of the study, its findings, and any other recommendations to the legislature.

(d) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2019.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.