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State Bills 2006
These bills were introduced in their respective state legislatures during 2006, or during a prefiling period at the end of 2005. Some bills were introduced previously but were carried over into the 2006 session.
For specific wording on each bill, sponsors, and other details, click on a state legislature's link and use its bill tracking service or legislative information service to access the bill's records for the 2006 legislative session. Not all states archive bills from previous sessions, however.
Go to State Bills 2005 for a list of the previous year's bills.
Go to Sales Taxes Charged on College and University Textbooks for a list of states enacting or attempting to enact sales tax exemption legislation.
California
California's regular session adjourned 8/31/06.
Assembly Bill 1315
Amendment (2006): Removes most of the pilot program provisions but amends existing student financial aid programs assisting with "access costs" (books, supplies, transportation, living expenses).
Amendment (2006): Removes most of the pilot program provisions but amends existing student financial aid programs assisting with "access costs" (books, supplies, transportation, living expenses).
Original bill: Creates pilot program for grants up to $1,000 for purchase of textbooks by community college students.
Status: Filed 2/22/05. Referred to Assembly Committee on Higher Education. Amended and re-referred to Assembly Committee on Higher Education, 1/4/06. Committee recommended passage, 1/12/06. Re-referred to Assembly Committee on Appropriations. Committee recommended passage, 1/19/06. Passed Assembly, 73-2, 1/26/06. Referred to the Senate Committee on Education, 2/2/06. Hearing, 6/29/06. Committee recommended passage; re-referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations, 6/29/06. Hearing, 8/17/06; recommended for Suspense File.
Senate Bill 1819
New amendment: This bill's focus has changed again and now deals only with aid for GED test takers.
New amendment: This bill's focus has changed again and now deals only with aid for GED test takers.
Previous amendment: The focus on textbooks has been dropped completely. The bill now deals solely with provisions for the Cal Grant C Plus Program to provide financial aid to occupational/technical students.
Original bill: As submitted, the bill simply expressed "the intent of the legislature to enact additional legislation related to college textbooks." There were no specifics.
Status: Introduced 2/24/06. Referred to Senate Committee on Education. Amended by author, 4/17/06. Hearing, 4/26/06. Committee recommended passage, 5/2/06. Referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations, 5/3/06. Passed Senate 21-14, 5/30/06. Amended by author again, 6/21/06. Committee recommended passage. Re-referred to Senate Committee on Education, 6/27/06.
Colorado
Colorado's regular session adjourned 5/10/06.
House Bill 1024
Requires governing boards of state institutions to report on current and proposed programs to aid retention and success of underserved college students. Mandates the boards to consider creation of an "online textbook library" to enable students to buy only those materials needed for course work.
Requires governing boards of state institutions to report on current and proposed programs to aid retention and success of underserved college students. Mandates the boards to consider creation of an "online textbook library" to enable students to buy only those materials needed for course work.
Final status: HB 1024 signed into law by governor, 6/1/06.
History: Filed 1/11/06. Referred to House Committees on Education and Appropriations. Passed House, 4/13/06. Referred to Senate Committees on Education and Appropriations. Passed Senate, 5/2/06. Sent to governor.
Connecticut
Connecticut's regular session adjourned 5/3/06.
House Bill 5527
Requires publishers to provide to potential purchasers a complete list of all products, their wholesale prices, and estimated length of time the products will remain on the market. The same information must be placed on the publisher's web site. Also requires the boards of the public college and university systems to develop policies allowing financial aid students to buy textbooks at campus stores until their aid arrives.
Requires publishers to provide to potential purchasers a complete list of all products, their wholesale prices, and estimated length of time the products will remain on the market. The same information must be placed on the publisher's web site. Also requires the boards of the public college and university systems to develop policies allowing financial aid students to buy textbooks at campus stores until their aid arrives.
Final status: HB 5527 signed into law by governor, 6/2/06.
History: Filed 2/23/06. Referred to Joint Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement. Hearing, 3/2/06. Committee recommended passage, 3/15/06. Passed House 141-3, 4/24/06. Passed Senate 36-0, 5/1/06. Sent to governor.
Florida
Florida's regular session adjourned 5/5/06.
House Bill 15/Senate Bill 1554
SB 1554 substitute: Specifies that the tax exemption is only for textbooks purchased at "participating bookstores," defined as retailers deriving at least 10% of gross sales revenue from textbooks. Includes exemptions for textbook rentals and licenses.
SB 1554 substitute: Specifies that the tax exemption is only for textbooks purchased at "participating bookstores," defined as retailers deriving at least 10% of gross sales revenue from textbooks. Includes exemptions for textbook rentals and licenses.
HB 15 substitute: Adds two stipulations: Only "degree-seeking" students qualify for the exemption, and at purchase they must show documentation the books are required/recommended for class.
Original bills: Both exempt textbooks required or recommended for higher education courses from sales taxes. Students must show ID. The same bills were introduced in 2005 as HB 891 and SB 1720.
Final status: HB 15 and SB 1554 both died in committee.
History: HB 15 filed 1/4/06; referred to House Education Council, House Education Appropriations Committee, House Finance and Tax Committee, and House Colleges and Universities Committee. HB 15 hearing with House Colleges and Universities Committee, 3/21/06; committee recommended passage. SB 1554 filed 1/25/06; referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Senate Committee on Education, Senate Committee on Government Efficiency Appropriations. Senate Education recommended passage, 3/6/06. Government Efficiency Appropriations recommended passage of substitute, 4/4/06.
Georgia
Georgia's regular session adjourned 3/30/06.
House Bill 1397
Waives sales taxes for textbooks sold to or used by a student.
Waives sales taxes for textbooks sold to or used by a student.
Status: Introduced 2/16/06. Referred to House Ways and Means Committee.
Illinois
House Bill 4867 (Textbook Pricing and Access Act)
Requires publishers to disclose prices for textbooks, supplementals, and bundle components during sales pitches to faculty; requires faculty at all higher education institutions to submit written orders for required course materials, including the earliest editions students may buy; requires bookstores to sell equal numbers of bundles and unbundled textbooks unless after the first shipment it is determined a disportionate number is needed; and requires bookstores to post booklists with ISBNs on the web or in a public place.
Requires publishers to disclose prices for textbooks, supplementals, and bundle components during sales pitches to faculty; requires faculty at all higher education institutions to submit written orders for required course materials, including the earliest editions students may buy; requires bookstores to sell equal numbers of bundles and unbundled textbooks unless after the first shipment it is determined a disportionate number is needed; and requires bookstores to post booklists with ISBNs on the web or in a public place.
Status: Filed, 1/19/06. Referred to House Rules Committee.
Senate Bill 2989
Requires the Board of Higher Education to create a rental program for college textbooks. Each public university must have a rental program in place by the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year.
Requires the Board of Higher Education to create a rental program for college textbooks. Each public university must have a rental program in place by the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year.
Status: Filed, 1/20/06. Referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
House Bill 3725
Waives state sales tax on required textbooks (leaves 1/25% municipal sales tax in place).
Waives state sales tax on required textbooks (leaves 1/25% municipal sales tax in place).
Status: Filed 2/24/05. Referred to House Revenue Committee. Motion to recommend passage to House fails. Referred back to House Rules Committee, 3/10/05. Carried over to 2006.
House Bill 3745
Creates statewide textbook rental program for public higher ed institutions. Students would still be given option to buy textbooks from rental inventory at 20% to 40% discount off retail prices.
Creates statewide textbook rental program for public higher ed institutions. Students would still be given option to buy textbooks from rental inventory at 20% to 40% discount off retail prices.
Status: Filed 2/24/05. Referred to the House Higher Education Committee. Committee failed to meet reporting deadline. Referred back to House Rules Committee, 3/10/05. Carried over to 2006.
House Resolution 1080/Senate Resolution 692
SR 692 amendments: Requires the board to include views from bookstore operators, textbook authors, and publishers. Mandates that the board assess the economic impact of the study's findings.
SR 692 amendments: Requires the board to include views from bookstore operators, textbook authors, and publishers. Mandates that the board assess the economic impact of the study's findings.
Original bills: Identical bills: Directs Board of Higher Education, Community College Board, and public higher education institutions to conduct a study of textbook rental programs, including funding sources for startup costs. The study also must explore other means of reducing textbook expenses and the potential of technology to decrease costs.
Status: HR 1080 filed 3/24/06; referred to House Rules Committee. SR 692 filed 3/28/06; referred to Senate Committee on State Government. Committee recommends passage of amended SR 692. SR 692 passed Senate 52-0, 4/7/06.
Kentucky
Kentucky's regular session adjourned 4/12/06.
HCR 9
Amendments: Includes elementary and secondary textbooks in the study.
Amendments: Includes elementary and secondary textbooks in the study.
Original bill: Requests a study of course materials pricing, to include publisher pricing policies; production costs; market competition and profit margins for publishers, distributors, and booksellers; effects of digital materials on book prices; relationship between distribution structures for new and used books; role of shorter revision cycles; adoption practices and the effect of marketing incentives. Concurrent resolution from both House and Senate.
Status: Prefiled for 2006 session, 11/14/05. Introduced and referred to House Committee on Education, 1/3/06. Committee recommended passage, 1/11/06. Passed House 87-1 with amendments, 1/13/06. Referred to Senate Committee on Education, 1/19/06.
Maryland
Maryland's regular session adjourned 4/10/06.
House Bill 25
Exempts textbooks from sales and use tax if purchased by a full- or part-time student as a requirement for a course at a higher education institution. A valid ID must be shown at purchase. The same bill was introduced in 2005 as HB 70 (later amended).
Exempts textbooks from sales and use tax if purchased by a full- or part-time student as a requirement for a course at a higher education institution. A valid ID must be shown at purchase. The same bill was introduced in 2005 as HB 70 (later amended).
Status: Prefiled 9/21/05. Referred to House Ways and Means Committee, 1/11/06. Hearing, 3/3/06. Committee report unfavorable, 3/23/06.
Senate Bill 214
Requires governing boards of public institutions to post lists of textbooks, with ISBNs, required for each course on the web. Bans employees from receiving inducements to adopt textbooks; comp copies and royalties are acceptable.
Requires governing boards of public institutions to post lists of textbooks, with ISBNs, required for each course on the web. Bans employees from receiving inducements to adopt textbooks; comp copies and royalties are acceptable.
Status: Filed 1/23/06. Referred to Senate Committee on Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs, 1/25/06. Hearing, 2/8/06.
Massachusetts
House Bill 1262
Encourages colleges and faculty to reduce the cost of textbooks to students by picking less expensive materials, increasing access to used books, starting rentals. Requires textbook publishers to provide pricing information to faculty and sell bundled components separately.
Encourages colleges and faculty to reduce the cost of textbooks to students by picking less expensive materials, increasing access to used books, starting rentals. Requires textbook publishers to provide pricing information to faculty and sell bundled components separately.
Status: Referred to the Joint Committee on Higher Education, 1/26/05. Carried over to the 2006 session. Hearing, 1/18/06.
Michigan
House Bill 5568
Exempts textbooks required for courses at postsecondary institutions from sales taxes.
Exempts textbooks required for courses at postsecondary institutions from sales taxes.
Status: Introduced, 1/19/06. Referred to the House Committee on Tax Policy.
House Bill 6356
Provides an income tax credit for the full cost of college textbooks. The credit is available only after the taxpayer or taxpayer's dependents pass the courses for which the books were bought.
Provides an income tax credit for the full cost of college textbooks. The credit is available only after the taxpayer or taxpayer's dependents pass the courses for which the books were bought.
Status: Introduced, 8/16/06. Referred to House Committee on Tax Policy.
Minnesota
Minnesota's regular session adjourned 5/21/06.
Senate File 3608/House File 4032
Identical bills: Directs the Office of Higher Education to convene an advisory task force to study the cost of college textbooks, examining pricing trends, rental practices, buyback, selection policies, and institutional purchasing practices.
Identical bills: Directs the Office of Higher Education to convene an advisory task force to study the cost of college textbooks, examining pricing trends, rental practices, buyback, selection policies, and institutional purchasing practices.
Status: SF 3608 filed 3/27/06; referred to Senate Education Committee. HF 4032 filed 3/29/06; referred to House Higher Education Finance Committee.
Nebraska
Nebraska's regular session adjourned 4/13/06.
Legislative Bill 556
Prohibits the University of Nebraska from providing credit or financial aid for the purchase of required textbooks and supplies at any on-campus university business without providing for the same credit or financial aid at off-campus non-university businesses.
Prohibits the University of Nebraska from providing credit or financial aid for the purchase of required textbooks and supplies at any on-campus university business without providing for the same credit or financial aid at off-campus non-university businesses.
Status: Filed 1/18/05. Referred to Legislative Committee on Education. Hearing, 3/14/05. Carried over to 2006 session, 1/4/06. Indefinitely postponed by committee, 2/8/06.
New Jersey
Assembly Bill 454
Allows an income tax credit for textbook purchases by full-time undergraduates at New Jersey colleges and universities. Credit amounts to 10% of cost up to $1,000 in total annual purchases.
Allows an income tax credit for textbook purchases by full-time undergraduates at New Jersey colleges and universities. Credit amounts to 10% of cost up to $1,000 in total annual purchases.
Status: Introduced 1/10/06. Referred to Assembly Budget Committee.
Assembly Bill 994
Authorizes public institutions to establish textbook rental programs if requested by the student government and if any existing contracts will permit. The rental program must be self-sustaining; average annual rental costs should not exceed 50% of the average annual retail purchase cost. The program can be disbanded with the student government's approval and cannot limit faculty in selecting course texts. The same bill was introduced in 2005 as AB 4036.
Authorizes public institutions to establish textbook rental programs if requested by the student government and if any existing contracts will permit. The rental program must be self-sustaining; average annual rental costs should not exceed 50% of the average annual retail purchase cost. The program can be disbanded with the student government's approval and cannot limit faculty in selecting course texts. The same bill was introduced in 2005 as AB 4036.
Status: Introduced 1/10/06. Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee.
New York
Assembly Bill 1214
Under the current sales tax exemption on college textbooks, expands the definition of "textbooks" to include supplementary books, manipulatives, art reproductions, maps, sheet music, manuals, almanacs, atlases, general dictionaries and encyclopedia, magazines, and newspapers.
Under the current sales tax exemption on college textbooks, expands the definition of "textbooks" to include supplementary books, manipulatives, art reproductions, maps, sheet music, manuals, almanacs, atlases, general dictionaries and encyclopedia, magazines, and newspapers.
Status: Filed 1/19/05. Referred to Assembly Committee on Education. Carried over to 2006 session, 1/4/06.
Assembly Bill 11494/Senate Bill 2381
Identical bills: Allow students or their parents to deduct textbook expenses on their state income tax form. AB 11494 was originally introduced in 2005 as AB 1951.
Identical bills: Allow students or their parents to deduct textbook expenses on their state income tax form. AB 11494 was originally introduced in 2005 as AB 1951.
Status: AB 11494 filed 5/23/06 and referred to Assembly Committee on Ways and Means. SB 2381 filed 2/14/05 and referred to Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations (re-referred 1/4/06). Committed to Finance, 5/23/06.
Assembly Bill 1965
Extends current sales tax exemption on textbooks to include any book recommended or required for college courses.
Extends current sales tax exemption on textbooks to include any book recommended or required for college courses.
Status: Filed 1/24/05. Referred to Assembly Committee on Ways and Means. Carried over to 2006 session, 1/4/06.
Assembly Bill 2270
Requires institutions to make booklists available to anyone on request 60 days before the term starts. Allows off-campus booksellers to obtain student mailing lists; advertise in campus media; and use campus charge accounts.
Requires institutions to make booklists available to anyone on request 60 days before the term starts. Allows off-campus booksellers to obtain student mailing lists; advertise in campus media; and use campus charge accounts.
Status: Filed 1/25/05. Referred to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. Carried over to 2006 session, 1/4/06.
Assembly Bill 3877
Requires state and city universities to provide all booksellers, upon request, with lists of textbooks to be used for courses.
Requires state and city universities to provide all booksellers, upon request, with lists of textbooks to be used for courses.
Status: Introduced 2/7/05. Referred to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. Carried over to 2006 session, 1/4/06.
Assembly Bill 4766
Requires state university of New York to form an academic review board to develop cost controls for sale of textbooks in campus bookstores, including: requiring publishers to justify new editions; sample copies provided only on request; price caps on reprinted editions.
Requires state university of New York to form an academic review board to develop cost controls for sale of textbooks in campus bookstores, including: requiring publishers to justify new editions; sample copies provided only on request; price caps on reprinted editions.
Status: Introduced 2/14/05. Referred to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. Carried over to 2006 session, 1/4/06.
Assembly Bill 8355
Directs Department of Education to conduct a study of bundling practices and report back, with recommendations, to the legislature and governor by July 1, 2006.
Directs Department of Education to conduct a study of bundling practices and report back, with recommendations, to the legislature and governor by July 1, 2006.
Status: Filed 5/18/05. Referred to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. Referred to the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, 6/21/05. Carried over to 2006 session, 1/4/06. Re-referred to Assembly Committee on Higher Education, 3/2/06. Bill no longer active, 5/22/06.
Senate Bill 6804/Assembly Bill 11759 (Textbook Access Act)
New amendment: The bill has been substantially revised. Provisions now call for making the cost of course materials "readily available" from publishers; requiring textbooks to be sold "in the same manner as ordered" by faculty; requiring institutions to encourage early adoptions and to set policies prohibiting employees from accepting inducements for adoptions.
New amendment: The bill has been substantially revised. Provisions now call for making the cost of course materials "readily available" from publishers; requiring textbooks to be sold "in the same manner as ordered" by faculty; requiring institutions to encourage early adoptions and to set policies prohibiting employees from accepting inducements for adoptions.
Amendment: Drops requirements for written book orders and posting of booklist online, but mandates that a record of orders be maintained and made available to the public upon request.
Original bill: Requires publishers to disclose the price of textbooks, bundles, and supplementals during sales pitches to faculty; requires faculty to submit written book orders, including the earliest acceptable edition; prohibits the sale of bundles unless specifically ordered by faculty; requires booklists with ISBNs to be posted online; bans employees from accepting inducements for adoptions.
Status: SB 6804 filed 2/22/06 and referred to the Senate Committee on Higher Education. SB 6804 amended, 5/22/06. SB 6804 amended on third reading, 6/6/06. Passed Senate, 6/15/06. AB 11759 filed 6/8/06 (identical to amended SB 6804) and referred to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education.
Senate Bill 7477
Bans public employees from accepting inducements to adopt textbooks; requires public institutions to post booklists with ISBNs on the web; directs institutions' governing boards to develop policies to encourage efforts to minimize the cost of textbooks.
Bans public employees from accepting inducements to adopt textbooks; requires public institutions to post booklists with ISBNs on the web; directs institutions' governing boards to develop policies to encourage efforts to minimize the cost of textbooks.
Status: Filed 4/25/06. Referred to the Senate Committee on Higher Education.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma's regular session adjourned 5/26/06.
House Bill 2380
Mandates that the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education establish a textbook rental system for Oklahoma state institutions beginning with the 2007-2008 academic year. The bill also calls for making textbooks available for sale online and requiring institutions to purchase textbooks for resale "in order to take advantage of pricing discounts through volume buying."
Mandates that the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education establish a textbook rental system for Oklahoma state institutions beginning with the 2007-2008 academic year. The bill also calls for making textbooks available for sale online and requiring institutions to purchase textbooks for resale "in order to take advantage of pricing discounts through volume buying."
Status: Prefiled, 1/18/06. Referred to House Committee on Appropriations and Budget, 2/7/06.
Senate Bill 49
Exempts college textbooks from sales taxes when purchased between the second Friday of the month and the second following Sunday in August and January. Originally introduced in 2005 as SB 222.
Exempts college textbooks from sales taxes when purchased between the second Friday of the month and the second following Sunday in August and January. Originally introduced in 2005 as SB 222.
Status: Prefiled 11/13/06.
Senate Bill 114
Requires institutions to provide adoption information to other booksellers on request; allow booksellers to participate in programs related to course materials provisions, such as orientation, if there's space; and allow other retailers access to campus credit programs. Originally introduced in 2005 as SB 1716.
Requires institutions to provide adoption information to other booksellers on request; allow booksellers to participate in programs related to course materials provisions, such as orientation, if there's space; and allow other retailers access to campus credit programs. Originally introduced in 2005 as SB 1716.
Status: Prefiled 11/14/06.
Utah's regular session adjourned 3/1/06.
House Bill 273
Exempts textbooks required for college courses from sales taxes. Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst estimates a loss of state and local tax revenue of about $3.5 million in 2007, if passed. The same bill was considered in 2005 as HB 220.
Exempts textbooks required for college courses from sales taxes. Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst estimates a loss of state and local tax revenue of about $3.5 million in 2007, if passed. The same bill was considered in 2005 as HB 220.
Status: Introduced, 1/18/06. Referred to House Revenue and Taxation Committee, 1/23/06. Hearing, 2/9/06. Committee recommended passage, 2/22/06. Failed to pass House, 3/1/06.
Virginia
Virginia's regular session adjourned 3/11/06.
House Bill 1478
Amended bill: Requires board to only "encourage" efforts to minimize costs. Requires stores to sell unbundled items only when cost-effective and available from publishers. Drops mandate for use of store revenues.
Amended bill: Requires board to only "encourage" efforts to minimize costs. Requires stores to sell unbundled items only when cost-effective and available from publishers. Drops mandate for use of store revenues.
Original bill: Requires the governing boards of public higher education institutions to set policies for minimizing the cost of textbooks to students, including: Requiring faculty to submit adoptions in a timely manner to ensure availability of books when courses begin; requiring on-campus stores to sell bundle items separately; requiring faculty to acknowledge textbook prices before adoptions; encouraging faculty to limit use of new editions; making sample copies available through the academic department or library; and mandating that schools use revenue from textbook sales only for on-campus student activities, financial aid, or improvements to existing bookstore infrastructure and services.
Final status: HB 1478 signed into law by governor, 4/4/06.
History: Filed 1/19/06. Referred to House Committee on Education. Committee voted 17-0 to recommend passage, 1/25/06. House voted 99-0 to approve, 1/30/06. Referred to Senate Committee on Education and Health, 1/31/06. Hearing, 2/16/06. Passed Senate 38-2 with amendments, 3/6/06. House concurred with amendments, 3/8/06.
Washington
Washington's regular session adjourned 3/8/06.
House Bill 3034
Exempts college textbooks from sales taxes, including texts sold by Internet retailers based in Washington. Sellers must obtain and maintain documentation from faculty that the textbooks are required for courses. The same bill was considered in 2004 as HB 2944.
Exempts college textbooks from sales taxes, including texts sold by Internet retailers based in Washington. Sellers must obtain and maintain documentation from faculty that the textbooks are required for courses. The same bill was considered in 2004 as HB 2944.
Status: Introduced, 1/18/06. Referred to House Committee on Finance.
House Bill 3087/Senate Bill 6699
Substitute bills: Adds mandate that the boards develop the rules in collaboration with affiliated bookstores and student and faculty representatives.
Substitute bills: Adds mandate that the boards develop the rules in collaboration with affiliated bookstores and student and faculty representatives.
Original bills: Requires boards of state schools to adopt rules for bookstores at public institutions to: provide students with the option of unbundled course materials, promote buyback programs, and disclose retail costs for course materials on a per-course basis. Requires faculty at public institutions to consider the least costly course materials when educational content is comparable.
Final status: HB 3087 signed into law by governor, 3/15/06.
History: Both introduced, 1/19/06. HB 3087 referred to House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Education. SB 6699 referred to Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12, and Higher Education. Substitute bills adopted and passed by both committees, 2/2/06. HB 3087 passed House 98-0, 2/9/06, while SB 6699 passed Senate 45-1, 2/13/06. HB 3087 referred to Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12, and Higher Education; SB 6699 referred to House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Education with hearing on 2/17/06. HB 3087 passed Senate 48-0, 3/1/06.
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