SB 578

Under this bill, if certain requirements are satisfied, the Board of Regents of the

University of Wisconsin (UW) System may accept research contracts involving

government security classifications or similar restrictions on participation in the

research or access to, or dissemination of, research results. The requirements that

must be satisfied are as follows. First, the research must further national security

interests. Second, the educational interests of all participating students must be

adequately protected. Third, appropriate facilities, infrastructure, and

administrative resources must be available for the research, either on campus or at

off-campus locations. Fourth, the sponsors of the research must cover all additional

costs associated with the security requirements of the research. Finally, the

conditions for accepting the contracts and conducting the research must be

established pursuant to processes approved by the chancellors of the UW institutions

at which the research is to be conducted. The bill requires the chancellors to consult

with faculty in approving those processes.

The bill also provides that certain information of public higher education

institutions is exempt from inspection or copying under the open records law. The

information subject to the exemption is information, data, or records produced or

collected by or for faculty or staff of such institutions as a result of study or research

on commercial, scientific, or technical subjects. The exemption applies whether or

not the study or research is sponsored by the institution alone or in conjunction with

a governmental body or private concern. The exemption expires when the

information is publicly released, published, or patented.