State agencies that spend appropriated funds may not sign certain research contracts or adopt certain rules unless specified disclosure or safety-related conditions are met.
Sec. 51.955. PROHIBITED STATE AGENCY ACTIONS RELATED TO DISCLOSURE OF PUBLICLY FUNDED RESEARCH. (a) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. (b) 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 final data generated or produced in the course of executing the contract unless the agency reasonably determines that the premature disclosure of such data would adversely affect public safety, the protection of intellectual property rights of the institution of higher education, publication rights in professional scientific publications, or valuable confidential information of the institution of higher education or a third party; 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: (A) has made the results of the research and all data supporting the research publicly available; or (B) reasonably determines that the premature disclosure of such data would adversely affect public safety, the protection of intellectual property rights of the institution of higher education, publication rights in professional scientific publications, or valuable confidential information of the institution of higher education or a third party. (c) Subsection (b)(1) does not apply to a research contract between an institution of higher education and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas or Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. (d) A response to a request for information regarding research described by Subsection (b) must be made 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. Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1024 (H.B. 1295), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 137 (S.B. 5), Sec. 2, eff. December 1, 2025, subject to resolution of an election contest under Chapter 233, Election Code, relating to Article III, Section 68, Texas Constitution.