BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1565
	By: Hughes
	Subcommittee on Higher Education
	4/12/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In recent years we have seen an increase in attempted theft of our intellectual capital at our higher education institutions. As Texas continues to conduct robust and cutting-edge research, we must also strengthen security protocols across our university systems.

S.B. 1565 lays the groundwork for creating a secure and collaborative environment among our higher education institutions. It will require the governing body of each higher education institution to establish a policy framework that addresses research security.

The policy framework must:

1. Address compliance with ethical, legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements.

2. Promote an organizational culture of compliance in relation to federal requirements and federal funding.  

3. Designate a research security officer responsible for the handling of classified material.  

As proposed, S.B. 1565 amends current law relating to policy frameworks for research security established by public institutions of higher education.

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 Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.982, as follows:

Sec. 51.981.� POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCH SECURITY. (a) Defines "institution of higher education."

(b) Requires the governing body of each institution of higher institution to establish, for each institution under the management and control of the board, a policy framework that addresses research security. Requires that the policy framework:

(1) achieve the highest level of compliance with applicable ethical, legal, regulatory, contractual and system standards and requirements in securing and protecting research portfolios;

(2) promote an organizational culture of compliance in meeting federal requirements to maintain federal funding; and

(3) designate a person to serve as a research security officer responsible for classified information, controlled unclassified information, foreign influence reporting, and other issues addressed under the policy framework.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.