The proposed bill would amend current statutes by requiring the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) to mandate that each public university establish, adopt, and publicly post a research security policy. This policy must include provisions to safeguard research, promote a security culture, further national security interests, mitigate threats from foreign adversaries, and comply with legal and regulatory standards. Additionally, the bill specifies that the policy should include processes for regular updates and compliance training, as well as a culture of compliance with federal regulations to maintain eligibility for federal funding.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a requirement for ABOR to submit an annual report by October 1 to the Governor and legislative leaders, detailing each university's research security policy, compliance with state and federal laws, and the total number of significant foreign grants received. The bill also makes technical changes to existing language, such as replacing "for the administration" with "to administer" and updating the phrasing around governance. Overall, these updates aim to enhance the security and integrity of research conducted at public universities in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-1626, 15-1635.02, 15-1625, 35-115, 15-701.01, 15-393, 15-1682.03, 15-1696, 15-1747
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-1626