S.B. No. 1565
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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1565 passed the Senate on
April 27, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1565 passed the House on
May 24, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 136, Nays 2, one
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor