Overview
Title
To secure Federal access to scientific literature and other subscription services by requiring Federal agencies and legislative branch research arms to make recommendations on increasing agency library access to serials, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 1247 wants to help government workers read and use important science articles easily by making sure libraries are open and tell them how much stuff costs.
Summary AI
H.R. 1247, also known as the "WISE Government Act of 2025," aims to improve access to scientific literature and other subscription services for Federal agencies and legislative branches. It prohibits agency contracts from including nondisclosure provisions about subscription costs and mandates easy access to library subscriptions for agency employees. The bill requires a report on increasing library access to serials, evaluating current subscription practices, identifying issues, and recommending improvements. It clarifies that it does not require disclosure of information exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.
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AnalysisAI
The proposed bill, designated as H. R. 1247, titled the "Well-Informed, Scientific, & Efficient Government Act of 2025" or the "WISE Government Act," seeks to enhance federal access to scientific literature and subscription services. The bill outlines measures requiring federal agencies and legislative branch research bodies to improve access to serial publications and related resources, such as scientific journals, by making recommendations for increasing agency library access.
General Summary of the Bill
The bill mandates that federal agencies ensure greater transparency in the cost of journal subscriptions, facilitating access for other agencies and the Library of Congress. It also requires agency libraries to make subscription access policies and procedures easily available to their employees. Furthermore, a comprehensive report is to be prepared on improving library access to scientific serials, involving collaboration with various stakeholders and examining a broad range of issues from contract negotiations to modern publishing challenges.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several key issues arise from the bill. Firstly, the prohibition on nondisclosure provisions for journal subscription costs might limit the agencies' leverage in negotiations, potentially leading to increased costs. Secondly, ensuring access to subscription information through the intranet could impose a financial burden on agencies with limited technical capabilities. Additionally, the bill calls for an extensive report on increasing access to serials without providing specific budget allocations for the required data collection and analysis. Furthermore, the broad definition of "applicable agency library" raises concerns about its implementation due to its potentially inclusive nature. There is also uncertainty about the intended methodology for data collection, which may result in inconsistent reporting. Lastly, the rule of construction emphasizing compliance with existing FOIA disclosures seems redundant, possibly leading to confusion.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Public Impact: Broadly, this bill could improve public sector efficiency by fostering greater availability of scientific and technical information to federal employees. This access could lead to more informed decision-making processes in government, ultimately benefiting the public through potentially improved policies and services.
Stakeholder Impact:
Federal Agencies: The bill could impose additional operational and financial burdens on agencies due to the requirement for disclosure without nondisclosure agreements, and the need to upgrade or maintain technical infrastructure to support access to subscription information.
Scientific Publishers: Publishers might face increased competition due to more transparent pricing and reduced ability for agencies to negotiate price confidentiality, which could affect their pricing strategies.
Policy Makers and Library Administrators: These groups could face challenges in implementing the bill's requirements, particularly concerning the comprehensive report, which may require significant resources and coordination across multiple stakeholders.
Government Employees: Improved access to scientific resources could empower employees with better research capabilities, enhancing their effectiveness.
In summary, while intending to streamline and enhance information access across federal entities, the WISE Government Act of 2025 presents challenges in terms of cost implications and implementation logistics. It highlights the ongoing need for balancing transparency with efficient and practical operational strategies within federal research and library systems.
Issues
The prohibition on nondisclosure provisions for journal subscriptions in Section 2(a) could limit agencies' ability to negotiate favorable terms, potentially leading to higher costs for subscriptions due to the inability to keep pricing confidential.
The requirement in Section 2(b) for agency libraries to make subscription access policies available through the intranet may impose significant costs on agencies with limited technical infrastructure, potentially leading to financial strain.
Section 2(c) mandates a report involving comprehensive data collection and analysis without mentioning any budget allocation for its completion, which could result in financial and operational challenges for the agencies involved.
The broad and vague definition of 'applicable agency library' in Section 2(d)(3), which includes 'any agency with a scientific focus,' may complicate the implementation and create operational challenges, as it could be interpreted to include a wide range of agencies.
The lack of clarity in Section 2(c)(1) and (2) regarding the methodology for surveys or data collection could lead to inconsistent or unreliable data in the report on increasing access to serials.
The rule of construction in Section 2(e) may be redundant since it parallels existing provisions under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), leading to potential legal confusion about its necessity.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the Act specifies its official title, which is the “Well-Informed, Scientific, & Efficient Government Act of 2025” or the “WISE Government Act”.
2. Agency journal subscriptions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines rules for government agencies regarding journal subscriptions. It prohibits secrecy about subscription costs, mandates easy employee access to subscription policies, and requires a report on improving access to serials, addressing issues, and suggesting solutions. The section also provides definitions and clarifications for terms used.