Journal access/state empl.

AN ACT Relating to state employee access to peer-reviewed 1
journals; creating new sections; making an appropriation; and 2
providing an expiration date. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that state agencies 5
often do not have comprehensive electronic access to many peer-6
reviewed journals. As a result, state employees often must purchase 7
specific manuscripts, outsource searches to other entities, or 8
physically visit a university library in order to access many peer-9
reviewed journals. Locating a specific manuscript can take hours of 10
staff time and is neither an efficient nor a cost-effective use of 11
state resources. Other states have created statewide collectives for 12
providing access to peer-reviewed journals, resulting in both 13
increased access to peer-reviewed journals as well as significant 14
cost savings. In light of the benefits that other states have 15
experienced in connection with statewide subscriptions to peer-16
reviewed journals, the legislature seeks to learn whether such a 17
subscription model would be beneficial in Washington.18
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The Washington state institute for 19
public policy is directed to conduct a study that addresses, at a 20
H-0261.2
HOUSE BILL 1606
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Engell, Bernbaum, Orcutt, Corry, Reeves, Waters,
Ramel, Parshley, Reed, Ormsby, and Nance
Read first time 01/27/25. Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
p. 1 HB 1606
minimum, potential funding, organizational structure, and policy 1
mechanisms that would provide state employees with electronic access 2
to peer-reviewed journals. For the purposes of this study, "peer-3
reviewed journal" means any academic, scholarly, or scientific peer-4
reviewed journal. 5
(2) The study must be completed by December 1, 2026, and 6
submitted in accordance with RCW 43.01.036 to the standing committees 7
of the house of representatives and the senate with jurisdiction over 8
environmental or natural resource issues. 9
(3) This section expires June 30, 2027. 10
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The sum of $83,000, or as much thereof as 11
may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 12
2027, from the general fund to The Evergreen State College for the 13
Washington state institute for public policy to conduct the study 14
required by section 2 of this act.15
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p. 2 HB 1606