As reported by the OA Librarian, Open Education News, and others, the Federal Research Public Access Act has been introduced in the US House.
taxpayeraccess.org has more detail and information about how you can get involved. The awesome Govtracker is currently showing H. R. 5037 has having been referred to the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Government Reform. Go check and see if you have a congressman on the subcommittee. I do! I sent him this letter this morning.
Congressman Chaffetz,
I do live within the district.
Last April 16 we met for approximately 30 minutes to discuss issues of open access to research. I stated my belief that the taxpaying public – who are the true funders of federally funded research – have a correct expectation to see the results of the research work they have funded. I related that the NIH has already adopted a policy guaranteeing the public free and open access to the results of the research they fund, and I encouraged you to find opportunities to spread this increased openness and transparency to other federal funding agencies.
Recently, legislation was introduced that would accomplish this worthy goal across federal funding agencies. H. R. 5037, “To provide for Federal agencies to develop public access policies relating to research conducted by employees of that agency or from funds administered by that agency,” has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Government Reform, of which you are a part. I strongly encourage you to support this legislation, and would be more than happy to meet with you again should you have any questions regarding its importance or value.
Sincerely,
David
Help get this important legislation passed! Let’s open access to unclassified research funded by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Science Foundation. It’s ours, after all.
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