By: Hughes, Springer S.B. No. 1565

(In the Senate - Filed March 3, 2023; March 16, 2023, read first time and referred to Subcommittee on Higher Education; April 24, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute from Committee on Education by the following vote: Yeas 12, Nays 0; April 24, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1565 By: Springer

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring the establishment of policy frameworks for research security at public institutions of higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.956 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.956. POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCH SECURITY. (a) In this section, "governing board," "institution of higher education," and "university system" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(b) The governing board of each institution of higher education shall establish a policy framework that promotes secure academic research at the institution while mitigating the risk of foreign espionage and interference. The governing board of a university system must establish a separate policy framework for each institution of higher education under the governing board's management and control.

(c) The policy framework must address:

(1) achieving the highest level of compliance with applicable ethical, legal, regulatory, contractual, and system standards and requirements for securing and protecting the institution's research portfolios;

(2) promoting within the institution an organizational culture of compliance with federal requirements to ensure the institution maintains eligibility for federal funding; and

(3) designating a person to serve as a research security officer responsible for maintaining classified information, maintaining controlled unclassified information, conducting foreign influence reporting, and addressing other issues at the institution associated with the goals of the policy framework.

(d) For purposes of designating a person to serve as a research security officer under Subsection (c)(3), the governing board of a university system may designate a person to serve in an institutional or system-wide capacity.

(e) A person designated to serve as a research security officer under Subsection (c)(3) shall attend the annual academic security and counter exploitation program seminar offered by Texas A&M University.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the governing board of each public institution of higher education shall establish the policy framework for research security required under Section 51.956, Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

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