(a) The Southern Research Institute is exempted from paying any state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes.
(b) The Southern Research Institute shall file an annual informational report in a manner as prescribed by the Department of Revenue. The information on such reports shall be consistent with the information required by the Department of Revenue pursuant to Section 40-9-61 and rules promulgated thereunder. Information provided pursuant to this section is exempted from the confidentiality provisions of Section 40-2A-10, and shall be provided by the Department of Revenue to the Legislative Services Agency, Fiscal Division on an annual basis.