The "WISE Government Act" promotes government transparency and efficiency by ensuring agencies can share journal subscription costs and improving employee access to scientific resources.
Bill Foster
Representative
IL-11
The "WISE Government Act" promotes government efficiency and transparency by ensuring federal employees have access to scientific resources. It prohibits confidentiality clauses in journal subscription contracts, mandates easy employee access to library resources, and requires a report to Congress on improving agency access to scientific publications and subscriptions. This report will address issues like contract limitations, access barriers, and pricing concerns, recommending solutions for better interagency transparency and purchasing models.
WISE Government Act Mandates Transparency in Agency Journal Subscriptions, Kicks Off Review of Access and Costs
The "Well-Informed, Scientific, & Efficient Government Act of 2025," or WISE Government Act, tackles the often-overlooked issue of how federal agencies pay for scholarly journals. Instead of directly funding research, this bill focuses on how agencies access existing research – and whether they're doing it efficiently.
Unlocking the Library
The core of the bill is about transparency and access. First, it prohibits agencies from signing any journal subscription deals that hide the price tag from other agencies or the Library of Congress (Section 2). Think of it like this: no more secret menus at the government's information buffet. Second, within six months, every agency head has to make sure all their employees—even those working remotely or in regional offices—can easily find the Library of Congress's policies on accessing journal subscriptions through the agency's internal website (Section 2). It's like forcing IT to finally update that crucial FAQ.
Show Us the Receipts (and the Problems)
Within a year, the Administrator of General Services, along with the Library of Congress and agency libraries, has to deliver a detailed report to Congress (Section 2). This report must include a survey of all the subscriptions agencies are paying for, along with cost data. But it's not just a spreadsheet exercise. The report also has to outline any problems agencies face accessing scientific journals. This includes contract limitations, access for employees in different locations, and, crucially, pricing concerns (Section 2). Are agencies getting ripped off? Are there better ways to buy access? This report aims to find out.
Real-World Check
Imagine a scientist at the EPA trying to access a crucial climate change study. Under this bill, they should have an easier time finding out if their agency already subscribes, and if not, how to access it through existing Library of Congress resources. Or picture a small business owner who needs to understand new EPA regulations based on recent research. Easier access to journals for agency staff could translate to more informed and efficient rulemaking, though the bill doesn't directly address public access.
Potential Roadblocks
While the bill aims for greater transparency, it does acknowledge existing protections for certain information (Section 2). Agencies could potentially use this clause to withhold some subscription cost data, arguing it's proprietary or sensitive. Also, the bill's success hinges on the thoroughness and objectivity of the mandated report. A biased or incomplete report could limit the bill's impact. Finally, while the bill promotes access to information, it doesn't guarantee understanding. Making complex scientific research accessible doesn't automatically make it digestible for the average person.