WISE Government Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1247
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-02T14:43:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The WISE Government Act of 2025 aims to improve federal access to scientific literature and subscription services, such as academic journals (known as "serials"). It focuses on enhancing transparency, efficiency, and sharing of resources among government agencies to ensure employees can readily use these materials for research and decision-making.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Nondisclosure Clauses: Federal agencies cannot sign contracts for journal subscriptions that include terms preventing the sharing of subscription costs with other agencies or the Library of Congress. This promotes cost transparency without overriding protections for sensitive information (e.g., under the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, which exempts certain confidential data from public release).
- Employee Access Policies: Within 6 months of the bill's enactment, agency leaders must ensure that libraries make policies for accessing subscriptions easily available to all employees, including those in regional offices, via the agency's intranet (an internal online network).
- Report on Access Improvements: Within 12 months of enactment, the Administrator of General Services (head of the agency that manages federal procurement) must submit a report to Congress and agency libraries. Developed in consultation with the Library of Congress, key agency libraries, and stakeholders like the Defense Technical Information Center and National Library of Medicine, the report will include:
- A survey of current subscriptions and their costs across relevant libraries.
- An analysis of access challenges, such as contract restrictions, issues with different formats (print, online, or bundled services), employee access in various office locations, inefficient purchasing systems, and high prices.
- Recommendations for solutions, including short-term fixes, long-term strategies, greater transparency between agencies, and potential new buying approaches (e.g., shared or bulk purchases).
- Definitions and Scope: Applies to executive departments, military departments, and science-focused agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is referenced but not directly tasked.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new ban on nondisclosure provisions in journal contracts, which could previously limit cost-sharing and lead to duplicated spending.
- Mandates the creation and public availability (within agencies) of access policies, addressing potential gaps in how employees currently obtain subscription materials.
- Requires a comprehensive federal report on serials access, which does not exist in current law and could lead to future policy changes based on its findings. It builds on existing procurement rules under Title 5 of the U.S. Code without altering FOIA exemptions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Could reduce redundant spending on subscriptions by enabling better cost-sharing and more efficient purchasing, saving taxpayer money. Agencies with scientific missions (e.g., EPA, NASA) may see improved research capabilities through easier access for employees in headquarters and field offices.
- On Citizens: Indirect benefits through more effective government operations, potentially leading to better-informed policies on science, health, and environment without direct public access changes.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. agency access to global scientific literature could strengthen domestic research competitiveness internationally.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies and Libraries: Especially executive, military, and scientific entities (e.g., EPA, NASA, Department of Defense libraries), which must update contracts, policies, and participate in the report.
- Library of Congress: Involved in consultations and cost-sharing, potentially gaining from interagency transparency.
- Federal Employees: Gain clearer access to subscriptions for work, particularly in research-heavy roles.
- Publishers and Vendors: Face restrictions on contract terms, which may encourage more competitive pricing but could alter negotiation dynamics.
- Congress and Oversight Bodies: Receive the report to inform future legislation on government efficiency.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces transparency in federal spending without conflicting with FOIA, as it explicitly avoids mandating disclosure of exempt information. Could set a precedent for scrutinizing "big deals" in academic publishing, where costs have risen sharply.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; aligns with Congress's authority over federal spending and agency operations under Article I.
- Political: Promotes fiscal responsibility and efficiency in government science funding, appealing to bipartisan interests in reducing waste. May highlight tensions between open access advocates and traditional publishers, potentially influencing broader debates on public funding for research materials.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-12: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Well-Informed, Scientific, & Efficient Government Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-12 — PDF (4 pages)