Senate committee takes public testimony on bill to study state access to peer‑reviewed journals

Senators heard public testimony Jan. 24 on Senate Bill 5152, a measure that would require the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to study ways to provide state employees with electronic access to peer‑reviewed journals.

Danielle Kreech, staff to the committee, briefed members that “the bill before you requires the Institute for public policy to conduct a study addressing at minimum potential funding, organizational structure and policy mechanisms that would provide state employees with electronic access to peer reviewed journals,” and that the study must be completed by Dec. 1, 2026.

Senator Judy Warnick, sponsor of SB 5152, told the committee the bill would help agencies use “best available science” without incurring high costs. “I think the study is going to be a low cost amount but the benefit, the high benefit will be worth the amount that we spend on the study,” Warnick said, adding she hoped the study would reduce duplication and expense across state agencies.

Supporters at the public hearing described everyday obstacles state researchers face when accessing journal…