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State Bills 2007
These bills have been introduced in their respective state legislatures during 2007, or during a prefiling period at the end of 2006. Some bills were introduced in previous years but were carried over into the 2007 session.
For specific wording on each bill, sponsors, and other details, click on the bill number. Or, click a state legislature's link and use the legislature's bill tracking or legislative information services to access the bill's online records. The wording and status of bills may be subject to rapid and frequent change by their assigned committees, although it is often common for bills to sit in committee for months without action.
For a list of states enacting or attempting to enact sales tax exemption legislation, go to:
Sales Taxes Charged on College and University Textbooks.
Sales Taxes Charged on College and University Textbooks.
For a summary of congressional legislation affecting the college store industry, go to:
Federal Bills 2007
Federal Bills 2007
Alabama
Senate Bill 439
Exempts college textbooks from sales taxes.
Exempts college textbooks from sales taxes.
Final status: Committee did not report; regular session adjourned, 6/7/07.
History: Filed 4/26/07. Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education.
House Bill 849
Prohibits institutional employees from accepting incentives to adopt certain textbooks. Requires booklists to be posted as they become available. Requires institutions to develop cost-saving measures for textbooks. Establishes the College Textbook Review Board to explore textbook costs and mandate control policies.
Prohibits institutional employees from accepting incentives to adopt certain textbooks. Requires booklists to be posted as they become available. Requires institutions to develop cost-saving measures for textbooks. Establishes the College Textbook Review Board to explore textbook costs and mandate control policies.
Final status: Committee did not report; regular session adjourned, 6/7/07.
History: Filed 5/9/07. Referred to the House Committee on Education Appropriations.
Arkansas
Senate Bill 22
Amended bill: Pared-down version of original bill. Requires faculty to confirm intent to use all adopted items, including bundled items; acknowledge quoted on-campus retail price; confirmed that bundled items may be sold separately; and confirmed some bundled items may not be reusable. Original bill: Requires state institutions to establish policies, procedures, and guidelines for the selection of course materials to encourage faculty to keep costs in mind. Policies must cover timeliness of adoptions, intended use of materials, and bundles.
Amended bill: Pared-down version of original bill. Requires faculty to confirm intent to use all adopted items, including bundled items; acknowledge quoted on-campus retail price; confirmed that bundled items may be sold separately; and confirmed some bundled items may not be reusable. Original bill: Requires state institutions to establish policies, procedures, and guidelines for the selection of course materials to encourage faculty to keep costs in mind. Policies must cover timeliness of adoptions, intended use of materials, and bundles.
Final status: Died upon legislature's adjournment, 5/1/07.
History: Filed 1/8/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Passed Senate committee, 2/13/07. Passed Senate, 2/14/07. Referred to the House Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Passed House committee with amendments, 3/7/07. Sent to governor, 3/22/07. Senate requested governor return bill, 3/23/07. Senate expunged vote on House amendments, 3/26/07. Referred back to House Committee on Insurance and Commerce, 3/28/07. House expunged vote, 3/28/07. Sent back to Senate, 4/2/07. Referred to Senate Interim Committee on Insurance.
Senate Bill 23
Amendment: Workbooks and manuals are only allowed if at least 25% of the pages must be consumed to complete assignments. The $40 cost limit is omitted. Original bill: Bans "single-use" textbooks incapable of use by a subsequent user. Workbooks and lab manuals are still allowed, if less than $40.
Amendment: Workbooks and manuals are only allowed if at least 25% of the pages must be consumed to complete assignments. The $40 cost limit is omitted. Original bill: Bans "single-use" textbooks incapable of use by a subsequent user. Workbooks and lab manuals are still allowed, if less than $40.
Final status: Died upon legislature's adjournment, 5/1/07.
History: Filed 1/8/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Amended, 1/25/07. Passed Senate committee, 2/13/07. Passed Senate, 2/14/07. Referred to the House Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Passed committee, 3/21/07. Returned to Senate, 3/26/07.
Senate Bill 24
Requires booklists to be posted at the bookstore and on the school's web site by Nov. 1 for spring term and April 1 for fall and summer. Late adoptions would need special permission.
Requires booklists to be posted at the bookstore and on the school's web site by Nov. 1 for spring term and April 1 for fall and summer. Late adoptions would need special permission.
Final status: Signed into law as Act 175, 3/1/07.
History: Filed 1/8/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Passed Senate committee, 2/13/07. Passed Senate, 2/14/07. Referred to the House Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Passed House committee, 2/21/07. Passed House, 2/26/07.
Senate Bill 25
Prohibits customized textbooks that aren't substantially different from standard texts. Custom materials containing portions of textbooks are allowed, if the price doesn't exceed 50% of the full book.
Prohibits customized textbooks that aren't substantially different from standard texts. Custom materials containing portions of textbooks are allowed, if the price doesn't exceed 50% of the full book.
Final status: Died upon legislature's adjournment, 5/1/07.
History: Filed 1/8/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Passed Senate committee, 2/13/07. Passed Senate, 2/14/07. Referred to the House Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Passed House Committee, 3/7/07. Sent to governor, 3/22/07. Sent to governor, 3/22/07. Senate requested governor return bill, 3/23/07. Senate expunged vote on House amendments, 3/26/07. Referred back to House Committee on Insurance and Commerce, 3/28/07. House expunged vote, 3/28/07. Sent back to Senate, 4/2/07. Referred to Senate Interim Committee on Insurance.
Senate Bill 26
Allows students to spend state aid and scholarships at any local business, not just institutional stores.
Allows students to spend state aid and scholarships at any local business, not just institutional stores.
Final status: Withdrawn, 3/27/07.
History: Filed 1/8/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce.
Senate Bill 27
Prevents state employees from receiving inducements to adopt textbooks for classes. Faculty may receive sample copies and instructor's copies, and may earn royalties on materials not adopted for their own classes.
Prevents state employees from receiving inducements to adopt textbooks for classes. Faculty may receive sample copies and instructor's copies, and may earn royalties on materials not adopted for their own classes.
Final status: Signed into law as Act 105, 2/15/07.
History: Filed 1/8/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Senate committee recommended passage, 2/5/07. Passed Senate, 2/5/07. Referred to House Committee on Education. House committee recommended passage, 2/8/07. Passed House, 2/13/07.
Senate Bill 28
Amended bill: Limits the number of purchased supplements to one third of each course's enrollment. Allows private stores to return unsold supplements. Removes penalties for noncompliance. Original bill: Requires state institutions to make class supplements available for purchase by private booksellers, at the school's cost of production.
Amended bill: Limits the number of purchased supplements to one third of each course's enrollment. Allows private stores to return unsold supplements. Removes penalties for noncompliance. Original bill: Requires state institutions to make class supplements available for purchase by private booksellers, at the school's cost of production.
Final status: Died upon legislature's adjournment, 5/1/07.
History: Filed 1/8/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Committee approved amended version, 3/15/07. Passed Senate, 3/20/07. Referred to the House Committee on Insurance and Commerce, 3/20/07. Returned to the Senate, referred to the Senate Interim Committee on Insurance, 4/2/07.
Senate Bill 29
Allows off-campus bookstores access to any on-campus promotional channel used by the institutional store, such as e-mail lists, informational packets, orientation, school web site, or posters. (Original wording has been amended for clarification, but the purpose has not changed.)
Allows off-campus bookstores access to any on-campus promotional channel used by the institutional store, such as e-mail lists, informational packets, orientation, school web site, or posters. (Original wording has been amended for clarification, but the purpose has not changed.)
Final status: Signed into law as Act 1205, 4/5/07.
History: Filed 1/8/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Committee approved amended version, 3/15/07. Passed Senate, 3/20/07. Referred to the House Committee on Insurance and Commerce, 3/20/07. House committee recommended passage, 3/28/07. Passed House, 3/30/07.
Senate Bill 30
Regulates royalties earned by faculty on materials adopted for classes at their institution. Such royalties would be considered property of the school and placed in a scholarship fund.
Regulates royalties earned by faculty on materials adopted for classes at their institution. Such royalties would be considered property of the school and placed in a scholarship fund.
Final status: Signed into law as Act 106, 2/15/07.
History: Filed 1/8/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Passed Senate, 1/31/07. Referred to the House Committee on Education, 2/1/07. House committee recommended passage, 2/6/07. Passed House, 2/13/07.
Senate Bill 31
Amendment: Adds wording that faculty are not prevented from referring students to any sources for textbooks. Original bill: Prohibits the web sites of state schools or their stores from linking to other booksellers who don't pay Arkansas sales and use taxes.
Amendment: Adds wording that faculty are not prevented from referring students to any sources for textbooks. Original bill: Prohibits the web sites of state schools or their stores from linking to other booksellers who don't pay Arkansas sales and use taxes.
Final status: Signed into law as Act 277, 3/16/07.
History: Filed 1/8/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce. Amended, 1/30/07. Committee recommended passage, 3/1/07. Referred to the House Committee on Revenue and Taxation. House committee recommended passage, 3/8/07. Passed House, 3/12/07.
House Bill 2228
Exempts the sale of used college textbooks from the gross receipts tax (sales and use tax).
Exempts the sale of used college textbooks from the gross receipts tax (sales and use tax).
Final status: Died upon legislature's adjournment, 5/1/07.
History: Filed 2/27/07, referred to the House Committee on Revenue and Taxation.
California
Senate Bill 832
Third amendment: Requires publishers to list only "substantive" revisions from previous edition. Second amendment: Extends provisions to include private institutions. Amended bill: Omits prohibition on institutions, but requires publishers to provide a list of all products, prices, intended time on market, and revisions. Original bill: Adds a section to the law passed last year which encourages practices to reduce the cost of course materials at public institutions. The new section prohibits these institutions from buying or selling textbooks, or allowing the sale of textbooks on campus, unless the publishers or distributors have provided a full list of products, pricing, and the length of time each product will remain on the market. The list must be published on the publisher's web site.
Third amendment: Requires publishers to list only "substantive" revisions from previous edition. Second amendment: Extends provisions to include private institutions. Amended bill: Omits prohibition on institutions, but requires publishers to provide a list of all products, prices, intended time on market, and revisions. Original bill: Adds a section to the law passed last year which encourages practices to reduce the cost of course materials at public institutions. The new section prohibits these institutions from buying or selling textbooks, or allowing the sale of textbooks on campus, unless the publishers or distributors have provided a full list of products, pricing, and the length of time each product will remain on the market. The list must be published on the publisher's web site.
Final status: Vetoed by governor, 10/13/07.
History: Filed 2/23/07. Referred to Senate Committee on Education. Amended by author, 4/9/07. Hearing, 4/11/07. Committee recommended passage, 4/11/07. Second amendment passed, 4/18/07. Passed Senate, 5/14/07. Referred to Assembly Committee on Higher Education, 6/21/07. Minor amendments, 6/26/07. Hearing, 7/3/07. Committee recommended passage, 7/3/07. Amended in Assembly, 7/11/07. Passed Assembly, 9/4/07. Senate concurs with Assembly amendments, 9/6/07. Sent to governor.
Assembly Bill 1548
New amendments: Omits requirement to print how long the edition will remain in print. Changes "markup policies" to "retail pricing policy." Adds "donation of equipment or goods" to the list of items faculty are prohibited from receiving for adoptions. Amended bill: Omits ban on institutions. Requires publishers to print on or in each textbook a summary of substantive differences between new and prior editions and how long the edition will remain in print. Requires campus bookstores to post on the store shelf or online its markup policies for new and used books. Encourages faculty to place orders with sufficient lead time. Prohibits acceptance of inducements for adoptions. Prohibits resale of comp copies. Original bill: Similar to SB 832. Bans institutions from buying or selling textbooks unless the publisher posts on its web site the price difference between bundled and unbundled textbooks, a summary of changes in new editions, estimates of intended time on market, and compensation offered for adopting the book.
New amendments: Omits requirement to print how long the edition will remain in print. Changes "markup policies" to "retail pricing policy." Adds "donation of equipment or goods" to the list of items faculty are prohibited from receiving for adoptions. Amended bill: Omits ban on institutions. Requires publishers to print on or in each textbook a summary of substantive differences between new and prior editions and how long the edition will remain in print. Requires campus bookstores to post on the store shelf or online its markup policies for new and used books. Encourages faculty to place orders with sufficient lead time. Prohibits acceptance of inducements for adoptions. Prohibits resale of comp copies. Original bill: Similar to SB 832. Bans institutions from buying or selling textbooks unless the publisher posts on its web site the price difference between bundled and unbundled textbooks, a summary of changes in new editions, estimates of intended time on market, and compensation offered for adopting the book.
Final status: Signed into law as Chapter 574, 10/13/07.
History: Filed 2/23/07. Referred to Assembly Committee on Higher Education, 3/22/07. Hearing, 3/27/07. Committee recommended passage, 3/27/07. Referred to Assembly Committee on Judiciary. Hearing, 4/24/07. Committee recommended passage, 4/24/07. Referred to Assembly Committee on Appropriations. Hearing, 5/9/07. Committee recommended passage of amended bill, 5/31/07. Passed Assembly, 6/6/07. Referred to Senate Committees on Education and Judiciary, 6/21/07. Failed to pass Education, reconsideration granted, 6/27/09. New amendments added, 7/3/07. Passed Education, 7/11/07. Withdrawn from Judiciary and referred to Senate Committee on Appropriations, 7/20/07. Minor wording revisions, 8/1/07. Hearing, 8/20/07. Appropriations recommended passage, 8/27/07. Passed Senate, 9/10/07. Assembly concurs with Senate amendments, 9/12/07. Sent to governor.
Connecticut
House Bill 5145
Requires any store selling textbooks to students enrolled at public institutions to offer bundle components for sale separately.
Requires any store selling textbooks to students enrolled at public institutions to offer bundle components for sale separately.
Final status: Committee did not report by 3/20/07 deadline. Regular session adjourned, 6/6/07.
History: Introduced 1/4/07. Referred to Joint Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement.
House Bill 6885
New bill drafted by committee: Deletes rental study. Requires the Department of Higher Education to evaluate the availability of price and revision information for college textbooks and the policies concerning student use of financial aid to buy textbooks. Original bill: Requires the Department of Higher Education to study the feasibility of textbook rental programs at public institutions.
New bill drafted by committee: Deletes rental study. Requires the Department of Higher Education to evaluate the availability of price and revision information for college textbooks and the policies concerning student use of financial aid to buy textbooks. Original bill: Requires the Department of Higher Education to study the feasibility of textbook rental programs at public institutions.
Final status: No action as of regular session adjournment, 6/6/07.
History: Introduced 1/24/07. Referred to Joint Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement. Hearing, 2/8/07. New draft, 2/27/07. Committee recommended passage, 3/1/07. Referred to the Joint Committee on Legislative Management, 3/20/07. Committee recommended passage, 3/29/07.
Florida
Senate Bill 254
Second substitute bill: Omits exemption. Bans state employees from receiving compensation for textbook adoptions. Requires public institutions to notify students of required books at least 30 days prior to each term. Requires a study of textbook purchasing practices and adoption of guidelines to minimize costs. Substitute bill: Expands exemption to textbooks sold at off-campus stores and textbooks for classes at private institutions. Amendment: Adds the requirements that purchases must be books required or recommended for current courses, and that the on-campus store must retain syllabi to prove that. Original bill: Exempts textbooks sold at on-campus bookstores at public postsecondary institutions from sales taxes. Specifies that books sold at other institutions are still taxable.
Second substitute bill: Omits exemption. Bans state employees from receiving compensation for textbook adoptions. Requires public institutions to notify students of required books at least 30 days prior to each term. Requires a study of textbook purchasing practices and adoption of guidelines to minimize costs. Substitute bill: Expands exemption to textbooks sold at off-campus stores and textbooks for classes at private institutions. Amendment: Adds the requirements that purchases must be books required or recommended for current courses, and that the on-campus store must retain syllabi to prove that. Original bill: Exempts textbooks sold at on-campus bookstores at public postsecondary institutions from sales taxes. Specifies that books sold at other institutions are still taxable.
Final status: Died in Higher Education Appropriations. Regular session adjourned, 5/4/07.
History: Prefiled 12/14/06. Referred to Senate Committees on Higher Education; Finance and Tax; and General Government Appropriations. Hearing by Higher Education, 3/14/07. Higher Education approved substitute bill, 3/14/07. Finance and Tax hearing, 4/13/07. Second substitute bill approved, 4/13/07. Withdrawn from Higher Education, referred to Higher Education Appropriations, 4/30/07.
House Bill 289 and Senate Bill 2492 (identical)
Amended bill: Changes notification period for booklists to 30 days. Substitute bill: Includes all of the original provisions, but omits the tax exemption and changes the notification period to 45 days before the start of classes. Original bill: Exempts textbooks from sales taxes; prohibits state employees from accepting inducements to adopt textbooks; bans sale of comp copies; requires public institutions to "notify" students of required textbooks (including ISBNs) at least 15 days before classes or when instructors submit book orders; mandates adoptions be made early enough to confirm availability of books and source used copies; places limits on adoption of bundles and new editions; mandates state boards to adopt policies on textbook affordability; and requests study of textbook costs and institutions' purchasing practices.
Amended bill: Changes notification period for booklists to 30 days. Substitute bill: Includes all of the original provisions, but omits the tax exemption and changes the notification period to 45 days before the start of classes. Original bill: Exempts textbooks from sales taxes; prohibits state employees from accepting inducements to adopt textbooks; bans sale of comp copies; requires public institutions to "notify" students of required textbooks (including ISBNs) at least 15 days before classes or when instructors submit book orders; mandates adoptions be made early enough to confirm availability of books and source used copies; places limits on adoption of bundles and new editions; mandates state boards to adopt policies on textbook affordability; and requests study of textbook costs and institutions' purchasing practices.
Final status: No action by Senate on HB 289 before regular session adjournment, 5/4/07. SB 2492 died in Higher Education Appropriations Committee.
History of HB 289: Prefiled 1/16/07, referred to House Policy and Budget Council, 1/29/07. Referred to House Committee on Postsecondary Education, 2/9/07. Committee hearing, 3/20/07. Committee on Postsecondary Education recommended passage, 3/20/07. Referred to House Schools and Learning Council, 3/21/07. Council hearing, 3/27/07. Schools and Learning Council recommended passage of substitute, 3/27/07. Policy and Budget hearing, 4/5/07. Policy and Budget recommended passage, 4/5/07. Amended, 4/26/07. Passed House, 4/27/07.
History of SB 2492: Prefiled 3/1/07, referred to Senate Committees on Higher Education Appropriations, Higher Education, and Finance and Taxation. Higher Education Committee hearing, 4/19/07. Higher Education recommended passage, 4/19/07. Withdrawn from Finance and Taxation, 4/20/07.
House Bill 721 and Senate Bill 2102 (identical)
Provides tax exemption for payments to higher education institutions from operators of bookstores on institutional property, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2006. (SB 2102 originally had different wording as a separate bill.)
Provides tax exemption for payments to higher education institutions from operators of bookstores on institutional property, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2006. (SB 2102 originally had different wording as a separate bill.)
Final status: HB 721 signed into law as Chapter 2007-53, 5/22/07.
History of HB 721: Filed 2/6/07. Referred to House Committee on Postsecondary Education. Committee report favorable, 3/20/07. Referred to House Schools and Learning Council, 3/21/07. Learning Council report favorable, 3/27/07. Referred to House Policy and Budget Council, 3/30/07. Budget Council report favorable, 4/13/07. Passed House, 4/26/07. Substituted in the Senate for SB 2102, 4/27/07. Passed Senate, 4/30/07. Sent to governor, 5/17/07.
History of SB 2102: Filed 2/23/07. Referred to Senate Committees on Higher Education; Finance and Tax; and General Government Appropriations. Higher Education hearing, 4/10/07. Substitute bill (wording identical to HB 721) approved by Higher Education, 4/10/07. Finance and Tax hearing, 4/19/07. General Government Appropriations approved, 4/24/07. Senate accepted substitution of HB 721, 4/27/07.
Georgia
House Bill 141
Amended bill: Exemption would be in effect only from Jan. 1, 2008, to Dec. 31, 2009. Original bill: Exempts textbooks from sales taxes. Same bill was introduced in 2006 as HB 1397.
Amended bill: Exemption would be in effect only from Jan. 1, 2008, to Dec. 31, 2009. Original bill: Exempts textbooks from sales taxes. Same bill was introduced in 2006 as HB 1397.
Final status: Withdrawn from consideration, 4/20/07.
History: Filed 1/24/07, referred to House Ways and Means Committee. Committee recommended passage of amended version, 3/19/07.
Hawaii
House Bill 953
Directs the University of Hawaii to establish textbook lending libraries at its seven community college campuses, to be used by students who demonstrate financial need or are enrolled in remedial or developmental classes.
Directs the University of Hawaii to establish textbook lending libraries at its seven community college campuses, to be used by students who demonstrate financial need or are enrolled in remedial or developmental classes.
Final status: Died in committee, 2/6/07.
History: Filed 1/22/07, referred to House Committee on Higher Education.
Illinois
Senate Bill 325 (Textbook Advisory Committee Act)
Second amendments: Advisory committee must include representatives from campus and off-campus bookstores. Allows disclosure of ISBNs only if there is no conflict with third-party contracts. Allows establishment of textbook reserves as permitted by copyright law. Omits encouragement of buyback. Amended bill: Excludes institutions with textbook rentals from the requirements. Replaces 60-day timeline with "reasonable expediency." Replaces ban on accepting inducements with provision that employees cannot demand or receive anything for selecting materials. Requires each institution (instead of advisory committee) to report back. Original bill: Requires each public institution to set up a textbook advisory committee to set deadlines for faculty to submit booklists; ensure booklists with ISBNs are published online 60 days prior to each term; ban employees from accepting inducements to adopt specific books; establish textbook reserves (including electronic) for students to use at no charge; encourage buyback programs; support campus book swaps.
Second amendments: Advisory committee must include representatives from campus and off-campus bookstores. Allows disclosure of ISBNs only if there is no conflict with third-party contracts. Allows establishment of textbook reserves as permitted by copyright law. Omits encouragement of buyback. Amended bill: Excludes institutions with textbook rentals from the requirements. Replaces 60-day timeline with "reasonable expediency." Replaces ban on accepting inducements with provision that employees cannot demand or receive anything for selecting materials. Requires each institution (instead of advisory committee) to report back. Original bill: Requires each public institution to set up a textbook advisory committee to set deadlines for faculty to submit booklists; ensure booklists with ISBNs are published online 60 days prior to each term; ban employees from accepting inducements to adopt specific books; establish textbook reserves (including electronic) for students to use at no charge; encourage buyback programs; support campus book swaps.
Status: Introduced 2/7/07. Referred to Senate Committee on Higher Education. Committee recommended passage as amended, 3/8/07. Bill amended second time, 3/28/07. Passed Senate, 3/29/07. Referred to House Committee on Higher Education, 4/30/07. Committee did not report; referred back to Rules Committee, 5/31/07.
Senate Bill 326 (Textbook Consumer Information Act)
Second amendments: Changes information requirements for publishers. Omits specific requirements for faculty, but mandates clear identification of adopted books. Omits specific requirements for bookstores, but requires disclosure of booklists for each course. Omits requirement that institutions verify edition changes. Amended bill: Requires institutions, not bookstores, to post booklists on schools' web site. Requires institutions to ensure availability of information on edition revisions. Excludes institutions with textbook rentals from requirements, except for materials not included in rental program. Original bill: Requires publishers to disclose wholesale prices, history of revisions, and cost of individual bundle items to faculty. Requires faculty to provide written booklists to the bookstore, including the earliest edition a student may use. Requires bookstores to publish booklists with ISBNs and retail prices on the web.
Second amendments: Changes information requirements for publishers. Omits specific requirements for faculty, but mandates clear identification of adopted books. Omits specific requirements for bookstores, but requires disclosure of booklists for each course. Omits requirement that institutions verify edition changes. Amended bill: Requires institutions, not bookstores, to post booklists on schools' web site. Requires institutions to ensure availability of information on edition revisions. Excludes institutions with textbook rentals from requirements, except for materials not included in rental program. Original bill: Requires publishers to disclose wholesale prices, history of revisions, and cost of individual bundle items to faculty. Requires faculty to provide written booklists to the bookstore, including the earliest edition a student may use. Requires bookstores to publish booklists with ISBNs and retail prices on the web.
Status: Introduced 2/7/07. Referred to Senate Committee on Higher Education. Committee recommended passage as amended, 3/8/07. Bill amended second time, 3/28/07. Passed Senate, 3/29/07. Referred to House Committee on Higher Education, 4/30/07. Committee did not report; referred back to Rules Committee, 5/31/07.
Senate Bill 327
Exempts college textbooks from the state's portion (5%) of sales and use taxes.
Exempts college textbooks from the state's portion (5%) of sales and use taxes.
Status: Introduced 2/7/07. Referred to Senate Committee on Revenue. Committee recommended passage, 3/15/07. Passed Senate, 3/29/07. Referred to House Committee on Revenue, 4/30/07. Committee did not report; referred back to Rules Committee, 5/31/07.
Senate Bill 1689
Requires the Board of Higher Education to create a textbook rental program for public universities, beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year.
Requires the Board of Higher Education to create a textbook rental program for public universities, beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year.
Status: Introduced 2/9/07. Referred to Senate Rules Committee.
House Bill 1464 (Higher Education Textbook Act)
Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to adopt rules requiring affiliated bookstores to sell bundle items individually; disclose textbook prices; explain how new editions vary from previous ones; and promote buyback. Faculty are required to consider the least costly options in choosing materials and must work with publishers to create bundles if they deliver cost savings.
Requires the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to adopt rules requiring affiliated bookstores to sell bundle items individually; disclose textbook prices; explain how new editions vary from previous ones; and promote buyback. Faculty are required to consider the least costly options in choosing materials and must work with publishers to create bundles if they deliver cost savings.
Status: Introduced 2/21/07. Referred to House Committee on Higher Education. Committee failed to report by deadline; referred to Rules Committee, 3/23/07.
Senate Resolution 298
Calls on public universities and community colleges to undertake measures to reduce the cost of textbooks to students, based on the Report on the Feasibility of Textbook Rental Programs and Other Textbook Cost-Saving Alternatives in Illinois Public Higher Education, released in January 2007. Schools must report the measures they have taken by March 2008. Schools with textbook rentals are exempt.
Calls on public universities and community colleges to undertake measures to reduce the cost of textbooks to students, based on the Report on the Feasibility of Textbook Rental Programs and Other Textbook Cost-Saving Alternatives in Illinois Public Higher Education, released in January 2007. Schools must report the measures they have taken by March 2008. Schools with textbook rentals are exempt.
Final status: Adopted by Senate, 7/26/07.
History: Introduced 7/19/07. Referred to Senate Committee on State Government and Veterans Affairs. Committee recommended adoption, 7/26/07.
Indiana
Senate Bill 16 and House Bill 1311 (identical)
Waives state sales taxes on textbooks required for undergraduate college courses. The purchaser must be an enrolled student or the student's parent. The Legislative Services Agency estimates the exemption would reduce the state's tax revenues by $5.5 million in 2008.
Waives state sales taxes on textbooks required for undergraduate college courses. The purchaser must be an enrolled student or the student's parent. The Legislative Services Agency estimates the exemption would reduce the state's tax revenues by $5.5 million in 2008.
Final status: No action taken on SB 16 or HB 1311 by regular session adjournment, 4/29/07.
History of SB 16: Prefiled 12/18/06, referred to Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy.
History of HB 1311: Filed 1/16/07; referred to House Committee on Education. Committee recommended passage, 1/24/07. Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means, 1/26/07.
House Bill 1810
Exempts textbooks and prewritten computer software from states sales taxes if the materials are required for a college course and the purchaser is a student or parent.
Exempts textbooks and prewritten computer software from states sales taxes if the materials are required for a college course and the purchaser is a student or parent.
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 4/29/07.
History: Filed 1/26/07, referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
House Bill 1001
Amended bill: The final version of the bill no longer includes the sales tax exemption for textbooks. Original bill: Appropriations bill for state expenditures. Includes a provision eliminating sales tax on college textbooks.
Amended bill: The final version of the bill no longer includes the sales tax exemption for textbooks. Original bill: Appropriations bill for state expenditures. Includes a provision eliminating sales tax on college textbooks.
Final status: Signed into law, 5/5/07.
History: Referred to House Committee on Appropriations. Committee recommended passage, 2/19/07. Amended and passed House, 2/22/07. Amended and passed Senate, 4/11/07. Conference committee reported adopted by House and Senate, 4/29/07.
Kansas
Senate Bill 315
Requires the CEO of each state higher education institution to implement policies to minimize the cost of course materials. The policies should ensure that faculty: consider the least costly course materials; adopt books in sufficient lead time to confirm availability and used copies; notify the bookstore if some items in a bundle won't be used in class so the store can order individual items for sale; acknowledge the store's quoted retail prices on books selected for class; and limit use of new editions when previous editions don't differ substantively. The policies must also promote buyback; provide books to students in need; and require course materials vendors to post returns policies and exchange rates.
Requires the CEO of each state higher education institution to implement policies to minimize the cost of course materials. The policies should ensure that faculty: consider the least costly course materials; adopt books in sufficient lead time to confirm availability and used copies; notify the bookstore if some items in a bundle won't be used in class so the store can order individual items for sale; acknowledge the store's quoted retail prices on books selected for class; and limit use of new editions when previous editions don't differ substantively. The policies must also promote buyback; provide books to students in need; and require course materials vendors to post returns policies and exchange rates.
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 4/25/07.
Status: Filed 2/6/07. Referred to Senate Education Committee. Hearing, 2/20/07.
Kentucky
HRC 19
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. Same bill was introduced in 2006 as HCR 9.
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. Same bill was introduced in 2006 as HCR 9.
Final status: Died in committee when legislature adjourned, 3/27/07. The same bill has been prefiled for the 2008 session as BR 23.
History: Filed 1/2/07. Referred to House Education Committee. Committee reported favorably, 2/13/07. Passed House, 2/16/07. Referred to the Senate Committee on State and Local Government.
Louisiana
House Bill 56
Exempts from sales tax any textbook that is required "or commonly used by a college student in the course of studying for a course."
Exempts from sales tax any textbook that is required "or commonly used by a college student in the course of studying for a course."
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 6/28/07.
History: Prefiled 2/28/07, referred to the House Committe on Ways and Means.
House Bill 93
Amendment: Exemption applies only to state sales taxes, not local taxes. Original bill: Exempts college textbooks from sales taxes.
Amendment: Exemption applies only to state sales taxes, not local taxes. Original bill: Exempts college textbooks from sales taxes.
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 6/28/07.
History: Prefiled 3/15/07, referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Committee recommended passage with amendment, 6/7/07.
Legislative Document 1633
Exempts college textbooks from sales taxes
Exempts college textbooks from sales taxes
Final status: Committee recommended bill not pass; declared dead, 4/25/07. Regular session adjourned, 6/20/07.
History: Filed concurrently in House and Senate, 3/21/07. Referred to the Committee on Taxation.
Legislative Request 2765
Controls the costs of college textbooks.
Controls the costs of college textbooks.
Final status: Legislative Council declined to draft the bill request, 10/25/07.
History: Introduced 10/9/07.
Maryland
Senate Bill 166 and House Bill 1092 (identical)
Requires booklists to be posted online with ISBNs as soon as the instructor or department "identifies the textbook for order and subsequent student purchase." Also prohibits public employees from accepting any inducements for adopting specific course materials, but does permit employees to receive royalties and comp copies. Same bill was introduced in 2006 as SB 214.
Requires booklists to be posted online with ISBNs as soon as the instructor or department "identifies the textbook for order and subsequent student purchase." Also prohibits public employees from accepting any inducements for adopting specific course materials, but does permit employees to receive royalties and comp copies. Same bill was introduced in 2006 as SB 214.
Final status: No action taken on SB 166 by regular session adjournment, 4/9/07. House Committee on Appropriations reported unfavorably on HB 1092, 4/9/07.
History of SB 166: Filed 1/26/07, referred to Senate Committee on Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs. Hearing, 2/21/07. Referred to interim study, 4/6/07.
History of HB 1092: Filed 2/13/07, referred to House Committee on Appropriations.
House Bill 204
Second amendment: Omits task force. Requires the Department of Legislative Services, with help from committees, to study and compile information on retail textbook prices, including factors that impact pricing, how professors choose books, retail margins, how publishers set prices, barriers to competition, and marketing. Also asked to explore posting textbook information online and including book costs in tuition. Amended bill: Deletes tax credit. Establishes a task force to study the cost of higher education textbooks, including how faculty choose books, retail margins, how publishers set list prices and market books to faculty, and other factors affecting retail prices. Original bill: Provides a credit on state income taxes for textbook expenses that exceed $500 in the taxable year. The credit is capped at $500.
Second amendment: Omits task force. Requires the Department of Legislative Services, with help from committees, to study and compile information on retail textbook prices, including factors that impact pricing, how professors choose books, retail margins, how publishers set prices, barriers to competition, and marketing. Also asked to explore posting textbook information online and including book costs in tuition. Amended bill: Deletes tax credit. Establishes a task force to study the cost of higher education textbooks, including how faculty choose books, retail margins, how publishers set list prices and market books to faculty, and other factors affecting retail prices. Original bill: Provides a credit on state income taxes for textbook expenses that exceed $500 in the taxable year. The credit is capped at $500.
Final status: Signed into law as Chapter 295, 5/8/07.
History: Filed 1/26/07, referred to House Ways and Means Committee. Hearing, 2/13/07. Amendments adopted, 3/6/07. Passed House, 3/8/07. Referred to Senate Committee on Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs. Hearing, 3/27/07. Committee recommended passage, with second amendment, 4/2/07. Passed Senate, 4/6/07. Sent to governor, 4/9/07.
Senate Bill 785 and House Bill 1269
Requires the governing boards of public universities and community colleges to develop a plan to include the cost of textbooks within tuition, by the start of the 2008 academic year. Also prohibits the institutions from requiring that students buy textbooks not covered in the tuition plan.
Requires the governing boards of public universities and community colleges to develop a plan to include the cost of textbooks within tuition, by the start of the 2008 academic year. Also prohibits the institutions from requiring that students buy textbooks not covered in the tuition plan.
Final status: No action taken on SB 785 by regular session adjournment, 4/9/07. HB 1269 withdrawn from consideration, 3/24/07.
History of SB 785: Filed 2/14/07, referred to the Senate Committee on Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs. Hearing, 3/21/07. Referred to interim study, 4/6/07.
History of HB 1269: Filed 2/22/03, referred to the House Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations. Reassigned to the House Committee on Appropriations, 3/5/07. Hearing, 3/22/07.
Massachusetts
House Bill 1200 (House Docket 3674)
Requires publishers to provide a product list, wholesale prices, and estimated time products will remain on the market. Requires bundle components be made available for individual sale.
Requires publishers to provide a product list, wholesale prices, and estimated time products will remain on the market. Requires bundle components be made available for individual sale.
Status: Filed 1/10/07. Referred to Joint Committee on Higher Education. Hearing, 10/2/07. Committee recommended passage; referred to House Ways and Means Committee, 10/11/07.
Senate Bill 1705 (Senate Docket 106)
Exempts sales of textbooks by a college bookstore on a college campus from sales taxes.
Exempts sales of textbooks by a college bookstore on a college campus from sales taxes.
Status: Filed 1/10/07, referred to the Joint Committee on Revenue. Hearing, 6/5/07.
Minnesota
Senate File 1314 and House File 1508 (identical)
Prohibits institutions from doing business with publishers that have not disclosed pricing of books, bundles, and supplements, and edition revisions for the past decade. Requires faculty to consider the least costly practices in choosing course materials, including using materials for longer periods, providing booklists in writing, and indicating the earliest edition students may use. Faculty must work with bookstores to review the adoption process and timeliness, share costs with students, and promote buyback. Requires stores to stock equal numbers of bundles and unbundled books (adjustable after the first shipment), post booklists online with ISBNs, and adopt policies to price required materials "so these are affordable to students." Authorizes (but does not require) establishment of self-sustaining textbook rental programs and sets down a number of requirements for such programs.
Prohibits institutions from doing business with publishers that have not disclosed pricing of books, bundles, and supplements, and edition revisions for the past decade. Requires faculty to consider the least costly practices in choosing course materials, including using materials for longer periods, providing booklists in writing, and indicating the earliest edition students may use. Faculty must work with bookstores to review the adoption process and timeliness, share costs with students, and promote buyback. Requires stores to stock equal numbers of bundles and unbundled books (adjustable after the first shipment), post booklists online with ISBNs, and adopt policies to price required materials "so these are affordable to students." Authorizes (but does not require) establishment of self-sustaining textbook rental programs and sets down a number of requirements for such programs.
Final status: Merged into SF 1989, omnibus education bill, 3/6/07.
History of SF 1314: Filed 2/26/07, referred to Senate Committee on Higher Education.
History of HF 1508: Filed 3/1/07, referred to House Committee on Finance. Referred by chair to Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division and to Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division.
Senate File 1989 and House File 1063 (omnibus higher education appropriations)
Conference version: Omits separate appropriation for rental pilot; lumps the program in with general funding. Amended bill: Replaces $200,000 rental pilot program with $1 million appropriation for pilots to identify and improve practices for selecting and purchasing textbooks, in collaboration with the state student associations (Article 1, Section 4). Adds requirements that publishers disclose ISBN, price, bundles, alternative formats, summary of revisions, and returns policies and that institutions allow students to pay for books through tuition plans or waivers. (Article 4, Section 1) Original bill: Some provisions in SF 1314 were revised and incorporated into this annual appropriations bill. Article 1, Section 13, directs the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to study and explore textbook rentals and other programs. Appropriates $200,000 for a pilot program on one campus. Article 1, Section 14, directs the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to work with institutions to develop course materials based on the Minnesota Textbook Advisory Task Force recommendations for reducing costs. Article 2, Section 48, asks faculty to "attempt to provide adequate notice" of their intention to adopt course materials so that the bookstore can provide information for the instructor's consideration. Asks stores to make "reasonable efforts" to obtain information about textbooks (including authors, ISBNs, prices, bundles, alternative options, plans for revisions, current and future availability, edition changes). Asks instructors to submit booklists at least 30 days before the start of the term. Asks stores to notify students of book adoptions (including ISBNs) at least 15 days before the term's start.
Conference version: Omits separate appropriation for rental pilot; lumps the program in with general funding. Amended bill: Replaces $200,000 rental pilot program with $1 million appropriation for pilots to identify and improve practices for selecting and purchasing textbooks, in collaboration with the state student associations (Article 1, Section 4). Adds requirements that publishers disclose ISBN, price, bundles, alternative formats, summary of revisions, and returns policies and that institutions allow students to pay for books through tuition plans or waivers. (Article 4, Section 1) Original bill: Some provisions in SF 1314 were revised and incorporated into this annual appropriations bill. Article 1, Section 13, directs the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to study and explore textbook rentals and other programs. Appropriates $200,000 for a pilot program on one campus. Article 1, Section 14, directs the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to work with institutions to develop course materials based on the Minnesota Textbook Advisory Task Force recommendations for reducing costs. Article 2, Section 48, asks faculty to "attempt to provide adequate notice" of their intention to adopt course materials so that the bookstore can provide information for the instructor's consideration. Asks stores to make "reasonable efforts" to obtain information about textbooks (including authors, ISBNs, prices, bundles, alternative options, plans for revisions, current and future availability, edition changes). Asks instructors to submit booklists at least 30 days before the start of the term. Asks stores to notify students of book adoptions (including ISBNs) at least 15 days before the term's start.
Final status: HF 1063 signed into law as Chapter 144, 5/30/07.
History of SF 1989: Introduced 3/19/07, referred to Senate Committee on Finance. Committee recommended passage, 3/21/07. Passed Senate, 3/22/07. Referred to House Committee on Finance, 3/23/07. Hearing, 4/13/07. Finance recommended passage, 4/13/07. Referred to House Committee on Taxes. Taxes recommended passage, 4/16/07. Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means. Ways and Means recommended passage, 4/18/07. Passed House, 4/19/07. Senate did not concur with House amendments, 4/20/07. Conference committee appointed, 4/20/07. House and Senate adopted committee report and repassed bill, 5/8/07. Governor vetoed bill, 5/9/07.
History of HF 1063: Introduced 2/19/07. Passed House, 5/14/07. Passed Senate with amendments, 5/21/07. Sent to governor, 5/29/07.
Mississippi
Senate Bill 2864
Requires publishers to disclose the wholesale price of textbooks to faculty and provide the history of revisions on each book. Custom textbooks and special editions would be exempt.
Requires publishers to disclose the wholesale price of textbooks to faculty and provide the history of revisions on each book. Custom textbooks and special editions would be exempt.
Final status: Died in committee, 1/30/07.
History: Filed 1/15/07. Referred to the Senate Committee on Universities and Colleges.
Nebraska
Legislative Bill 32
Exempts required and recommended college textbooks and workbooks from sales taxes, with a valid student ID.
Exempts required and recommended college textbooks and workbooks from sales taxes, with a valid student ID.
Final status: Indefinitely postponed, 5/23/07. Regular session adjourned, 5/31/07.
History: Filed 1/4/07, referred to the Revenue Committee. Hearing, 2/23/07.
New York
Assembly Bill 355
Requires the 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 to professors only on request; and price caps on reprinted editions. The same bill was introduced in 2005-06 as AB 4766.
Requires the 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 to professors only on request; and price caps on reprinted editions. The same bill was introduced in 2005-06 as AB 4766.
Status: Prefiled 12/21/06. Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee, 1/3/07.
Assembly Bill 816
Requires institutions to publish booklists as part of course catalogs at least 60 days prior to each term and to provide adoption information to anyone upon request. Requires institutions to permit any textbook seller to participate in campus marketing programs and student credit programs.
Requires institutions to publish booklists as part of course catalogs at least 60 days prior to each term and to provide adoption information to anyone upon request. Requires institutions to permit any textbook seller to participate in campus marketing programs and student credit programs.
Status: Prefiled 1/3/07. Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee.
Assembly Bill 1518
Requires institutions to provide all textbook retailers with the same booklist information upon request. The same bill was introduced in 1987 and reintroduced in 2005-06 as AB 3877.
Requires institutions to provide all textbook retailers with the same booklist information upon request. The same bill was introduced in 1987 and reintroduced in 2005-06 as AB 3877.
Status: Filed 1/9/07. Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee.
Assembly Bill 2350
Expands the sales tax exemption for required textbooks to include ones recommended by professors. The same bill was introduced in 2004 and reintroduced in 2005-06 as AB 1965.
Expands the sales tax exemption for required textbooks to include ones recommended by professors. The same bill was introduced in 2004 and reintroduced in 2005-06 as AB 1965.
Status: Filed 1/16/07. Referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
Assembly Bill 3377
Assembly Bill 8941
Senate Bill 5276 (all identical)
Provides a deduction on state income tax for textbook purchases at New York private or public higher education institutions. AB 3377 was introduced in 2006 as AB 11494.
Assembly Bill 8941
Senate Bill 5276 (all identical)
Provides a deduction on state income tax for textbook purchases at New York private or public higher education institutions. AB 3377 was introduced in 2006 as AB 11494.
Status of AB 3377: Filed 1/24/07. Referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee. Enacting clause stricken, 4/20/07.
Status of SB 5276: Filed 4/25/07. Referred to Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations.
Status of AB 8941: Referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee, 6/6/07.
Senate Bill 3063 and Assembly Bill 8167
Requires textbook publishers to disclose wholesale prices on request. Mandates that textbooks must be sold in the same manner as ordered by faculty; if not available, the store must work with faculty and publishers to provide the closest substitute. Requires institutions to develop policies encouraging faculty to provide booklists with sufficient lead time to confirm availability. Prohibits employees from accepting compensation for adoptions; may still receive royalties, desk copies, and honoraria for academic peer reviews.
Requires textbook publishers to disclose wholesale prices on request. Mandates that textbooks must be sold in the same manner as ordered by faculty; if not available, the store must work with faculty and publishers to provide the closest substitute. Requires institutions to develop policies encouraging faculty to provide booklists with sufficient lead time to confirm availability. Prohibits employees from accepting compensation for adoptions; may still receive royalties, desk copies, and honoraria for academic peer reviews.
Status of SB 3063: Filed 2/21/07, referred to Senate Committee on Higher Education. Committee recommended passage, 3/21/07. Passed Senate, 3/30/07. Referred to Assembly Committee on Education, 3/30/07.
Status of AB 8167: Filed 5/7/07. Referred to Assembly Committee on Higher Education.
Assembly Bill 6367
Provides a tax deduction for required college course supplies, including textbooks and software.
Provides a tax deduction for required college course supplies, including textbooks and software.
Status: Filed 3/7/07, referred to Assembly Ways and Means Committee.
Senate Bill 5274
Prohibits state employees from taking inducements to adopt textbooks. Requires governing boards to make booklists available with ISBNs and to implement policies encouraging efforts to minimize the cost of textbooks, including asking faculty to select adoptions with sufficient lead time to ensure availability, confirm that all bundle components will be used in class, and acknowledge retail prices. Encourages faculty to limit use of new editions.
Prohibits state employees from taking inducements to adopt textbooks. Requires governing boards to make booklists available with ISBNs and to implement policies encouraging efforts to minimize the cost of textbooks, including asking faculty to select adoptions with sufficient lead time to ensure availability, confirm that all bundle components will be used in class, and acknowledge retail prices. Encourages faculty to limit use of new editions.
Status: Filed 4/25/07. Referred to Senate Committee on Higher Education.
North Carolina
Senate Bill 1392
Exempts course materials for postsecondary students from sales taxes.
Exempts course materials for postsecondary students from sales taxes.
Final status: No action taken as of regular session adjournment, 8/2/07.
History: Filed 3/21/07, referred to Senate Committee on Finance.
Senate Bill 151
Requires U.S. publishers desiring to sell textbooks to students at state institutions to post the following information on the web before books may be sold in any bookstore: price of book and any bundled components, modifications within the past 10 years and planned modifications, modifications to supplemental learning materials (whether bundled or separate) within the past 10 years and planned modifications, availability of alternative formats, and publisher's return policy. Prohibits bookstores from selling bundles unless components are offered separately. Prohibits stores from buying back used books at less than half the price at which the store plans to resell the book. Bans stores from selling any textbook or supplemental not listed on the publishers' web sites. Requires institutions to place at least two copies of each required textbook in campus libraries. Prohibits faculty from profiting from their own books if used for their classes. Requires board of regents to develop an electronic inquiry form for students, faculty, and others to use in requesting information from publishers. Requires regents to develop at least one pilot textbook rental project.
Requires U.S. publishers desiring to sell textbooks to students at state institutions to post the following information on the web before books may be sold in any bookstore: price of book and any bundled components, modifications within the past 10 years and planned modifications, modifications to supplemental learning materials (whether bundled or separate) within the past 10 years and planned modifications, availability of alternative formats, and publisher's return policy. Prohibits bookstores from selling bundles unless components are offered separately. Prohibits stores from buying back used books at less than half the price at which the store plans to resell the book. Bans stores from selling any textbook or supplemental not listed on the publishers' web sites. Requires institutions to place at least two copies of each required textbook in campus libraries. Prohibits faculty from profiting from their own books if used for their classes. Requires board of regents to develop an electronic inquiry form for students, faculty, and others to use in requesting information from publishers. Requires regents to develop at least one pilot textbook rental project.
Status: Filed 4/24/07. Referred to the Senate Education Committee. Hearing, 10/30/07.
Oklahoma
House Bill 2103
Primarily creates a tuition rate lock; includes section proposed by GCCA requiring campus bookstores to sell bundle components individually; disclose prices and edition changes to faculty and students; and promote buyback. Encourages faculty to consider cost in choosing textbooks. Requires publishers to provide information to faculty on prices and revision history. Prohibits employees from receiving inducements for textbook adoptions. Bans campus bookstores and contractors from buying back or reselling comp copies.
Primarily creates a tuition rate lock; includes section proposed by GCCA requiring campus bookstores to sell bundle components individually; disclose prices and edition changes to faculty and students; and promote buyback. Encourages faculty to consider cost in choosing textbooks. Requires publishers to provide information to faculty on prices and revision history. Prohibits employees from receiving inducements for textbook adoptions. Bans campus bookstores and contractors from buying back or reselling comp copies.
Final status: Signed into law as Chapter 368, 6/7/07.
History: Filed 2/5/07 (tuition language only). Passed House, 3/13/07. Passed Senate, 4/23/07. Referred to General Conference Committee on Appropriations (GCCA) to reconcile amendments, 5/8/07. GCCA version passed Senate and House, 5/24/07. Sent to governor, 5/25/07.
Oregon
Senate Bill 365
New amendments: Changes "prospective purchaser" to "prospective adopters." Omits planned length of time on the market, but requires publishers to provide dates of previous editions. Amended bill: The bill has been reworded somewhat but includes the same provisions. Original bill: Requires publishers to provide "to a prospective purchaser of the publisher's products" a list of those products with wholesale prices and the length of time the publisher plans to keep them on the market. The list must be posted in a public area of the publisher's web site. Also requires publishers to sell individual bundle components.
New amendments: Changes "prospective purchaser" to "prospective adopters." Omits planned length of time on the market, but requires publishers to provide dates of previous editions. Amended bill: The bill has been reworded somewhat but includes the same provisions. Original bill: Requires publishers to provide "to a prospective purchaser of the publisher's products" a list of those products with wholesale prices and the length of time the publisher plans to keep them on the market. The list must be posted in a public area of the publisher's web site. Also requires publishers to sell individual bundle components.
Final status: Signed into law as Chapter 582, 6/25/07.
History: Filed 1/15/07. Referred to the Senate Education and General Government Committee. Committee recommended passage with amendments, 5/8/07. Passed Senate, 5/10/07. Referred to House Committee on Education. Hearing, 5/21/07. Committee recommended passage with new amendment, 5/29/07. Passed House, 6/8/07. Sent to governor.
Pennsylvania
House Bill 2136
Requires publishers to disclose to faculty a list of all related products they sell, their prices, length of time each product is expected to remain on the market, and differences between editions. Publishers must respond to requests for information. As of January 2010, the outer cover of textbooks must summarize the major content differences with the prior edition. Encourages faculty to consider cost in choosing textbooks. Campus bookstores at public schools must post the retail pricing policy on the web or in the store. Institutions should encourage faculty to place adoptions early enough to ensure sufficient used copies. Faculty and stores are banned from selling review copies. Faculty may not accept inducements to adopt a particular book, but can still receive review copies, royalties, honoraria for peer review, and training in the use of course materials.
Requires publishers to disclose to faculty a list of all related products they sell, their prices, length of time each product is expected to remain on the market, and differences between editions. Publishers must respond to requests for information. As of January 2010, the outer cover of textbooks must summarize the major content differences with the prior edition. Encourages faculty to consider cost in choosing textbooks. Campus bookstores at public schools must post the retail pricing policy on the web or in the store. Institutions should encourage faculty to place adoptions early enough to ensure sufficient used copies. Faculty and stores are banned from selling review copies. Faculty may not accept inducements to adopt a particular book, but can still receive review copies, royalties, honoraria for peer review, and training in the use of course materials.
Status: Introduced 12/18/07, referred to House Committee on Education.
Tennessee
House Bill 1257 and Senate Bill 2076 (identical)
Amended bill: Adds that all inventory and monitoring required by new policies must be accomplished by existing bookstore staff. Clarifies that department/library copies pertain only to copies provided free by publishers. Original bill: Requires the University of Tennessee system and Tennessee board of regents to develop policies requiring: faculty to submit booklists in a timely manner to ensure available quantities and for posting online with ISBNs; faculty to consider the least costly options for course materials; campus bookstores to disclose retail pricing of books to faculty on a per-course basis; campus stores to sell bundled components individually; campus stores to promote buyback programs. Copies of textbooks must be made available to students at no charge through the academic department or library.
Amended bill: Adds that all inventory and monitoring required by new policies must be accomplished by existing bookstore staff. Clarifies that department/library copies pertain only to copies provided free by publishers. Original bill: Requires the University of Tennessee system and Tennessee board of regents to develop policies requiring: faculty to submit booklists in a timely manner to ensure available quantities and for posting online with ISBNs; faculty to consider the least costly options for course materials; campus bookstores to disclose retail pricing of books to faculty on a per-course basis; campus stores to sell bundled components individually; campus stores to promote buyback programs. Copies of textbooks must be made available to students at no charge through the academic department or library.
Final status: HB 1257 signed into law as Chapter 504, 6/22/07.
History of HB 1257: Introduced 2/12/07, referred to House Committee on Education, Subcommittee on Higher Education. Subcommittee recommended passage, 3/21/07. Referred to House Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Budget. Hearing, 4/11/07. Subcommittee recommended passage, 4/11/07. Finance, Ways and Means recommended passage of amended version, 4/17/07. Passed House, 5/3/07. Passed Senate, 5/31/07. Sent to governor, 6/13/07.
History of SB 2076: Introduced 2/15/07. Referred to Senate Committee on Education, 2/22/07. Hearing, 5/16/07. Conference committee appointed, 5/16/07. Committee recommended passage, 5/16/07. Senate substituted HB 1257 for this bill, 5/31/07.
Senate Bill 49 and House Bill 1890 (identical)
House Bill 1434
House Bill 3062
All of these bills exempt college textbooks from sales taxes for a short period of time each August and January. The bills vary in the actual dates that the exemption is available.
House Bill 1434
House Bill 3062
All of these bills exempt college textbooks from sales taxes for a short period of time each August and January. The bills vary in the actual dates that the exemption is available.
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 5/28/07.
History of SB 49: Prefiled 11/13/06, referred to the Senate Finance Committee. Hearing, 4/30/07. Second hearing, 5/3/07. Committee approved substitute bill moving tax-exempt period back one week, 5/4/07. Passed Senate, 5/8/07. Referred to House Higher Education Committee.
History of HB 1890: Filed 2/23/07, referred to House Ways and Means Committee.
History of HB 1434: Filed 2/13/07, referred to House Higher Education Committee. Hearing, 3/12/07. Left pending in committee, 3/12/07.
History of HB 3062: Filed 3/7/07, referred to House Ways and Means Committee.
Senate Bill 114 and House Bill 2009 (identical)
Amended bill: Adds requirement that publishers must disclose wholesale prices and revision history to faculty. Substitute bill: Omits providing booklists to other sellers; adds providing booklists to anyone online or in person. Adds requirement that institutions must provide space to other sellers to participate in on-campus programs, with a fee. Original bill: 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.
Amended bill: Adds requirement that publishers must disclose wholesale prices and revision history to faculty. Substitute bill: Omits providing booklists to other sellers; adds providing booklists to anyone online or in person. Adds requirement that institutions must provide space to other sellers to participate in on-campus programs, with a fee. Original bill: 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.
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 5/28/07.
History of SB 114: Prefiled 11/14/06. Referred to Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education. Hearing, 4/16/07. Subcommittee recommended passage of substitute, 4/16/07. Hearing, 4/19/07. Passed Senate, 4/30/07. Referred to House Committee on Higher Education. Hearing, 5/15/07. Committee recommended passage of amended bill, 5/15/07.
History of HB 2009: Filed 2/26/07. Referred to House Committee on Higher Education. Hearing, 3/12/07. Left pending in committee, 3/12/07.
House Bill 955
Creates a temporary sales tax exemption for school supplies and textbooks purchased for college or K-12 students. Individual items must cost no more than $100.
Creates a temporary sales tax exemption for school supplies and textbooks purchased for college or K-12 students. Individual items must cost no more than $100.
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 5/28/07.
History: Filed 1/30/07, referred to House Ways and Means Committee.
House Bill 956
Substitute bill: Retains original provisions with these additions and changes: Requires faculty to learn book's retail price before adoption. Requires Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to monitor costs and facilitate open-access publications. Extends one-week deadline for booklist posting to 30 days before each term. Requires stores to pass on to customers any discounts negotiated with publishers. Original bill: Prohibits faculty from requiring students to buy a book if it won't be used for class. Faculty must adopt books for at least three years, with limited exceptions. Faculty must explore using open-access course materials in lieu of purchased books. Schools must post booklists online with ISBNs within one week of the same information being provided to the bookstore. Requires schools to permit institutional credit arrangements for students to be extended to off-campus retailers. Provides numerous requirements for bundled course materials. Requires the Texas Building and Procurement Commission to negotiate bulk textbook pricing with publishers. Bans state employees from accepting inducements to adopt specific books.
Substitute bill: Retains original provisions with these additions and changes: Requires faculty to learn book's retail price before adoption. Requires Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to monitor costs and facilitate open-access publications. Extends one-week deadline for booklist posting to 30 days before each term. Requires stores to pass on to customers any discounts negotiated with publishers. Original bill: Prohibits faculty from requiring students to buy a book if it won't be used for class. Faculty must adopt books for at least three years, with limited exceptions. Faculty must explore using open-access course materials in lieu of purchased books. Schools must post booklists online with ISBNs within one week of the same information being provided to the bookstore. Requires schools to permit institutional credit arrangements for students to be extended to off-campus retailers. Provides numerous requirements for bundled course materials. Requires the Texas Building and Procurement Commission to negotiate bulk textbook pricing with publishers. Bans state employees from accepting inducements to adopt specific books.
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 5/28/07.
History: Filed 1/30/07. Referred to House Committee on Higher Education. Hearing, 3/12/07. Left pending in committee, 3/12/07. Hearing, 4/10/07. Committee recommended passage of substitute, 4/13/07.
House Bill 960
Directs each higher education institution's governing board to develop policies requiring faculty to adopt textbooks for core curriculum for at least three years, unless there is "good cause" to switch to another book.
Directs each higher education institution's governing board to develop policies requiring faculty to adopt textbooks for core curriculum for at least three years, unless there is "good cause" to switch to another book.
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 5/28/07.
History: Filed 1/30/07. Referred to House Committee on Higher Education. Hearing, 3/12/07. Left pending in committee, 3/12/07.
House Bill 1729 and House Bill 2488 (identical)
Exempts sales of required textbooks if purchased by a full-time or part-time student. The books must be "written, designed, and produced for educational, instructional, or pedagogical purposes."
Exempts sales of required textbooks if purchased by a full-time or part-time student. The books must be "written, designed, and produced for educational, instructional, or pedagogical purposes."
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 5/28/07.
History of HB 1729: Filed 2/21/07, referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
History of HB 2488: Filed 3/5/07, referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
House Bill 2965
Prohibits faculty from requiring or recommending a textbook edition less than three years old for student use unless a newer edition is needed for adequate instruction or would cost students less. Also prohibits requirement of an edition unless information that needs to be updated in the edition can be provided or sold as an insert.
Prohibits faculty from requiring or recommending a textbook edition less than three years old for student use unless a newer edition is needed for adequate instruction or would cost students less. Also prohibits requirement of an edition unless information that needs to be updated in the edition can be provided or sold as an insert.
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 5/28/07.
History: Filed 3/7/07. Referred to the House Committee on Higher Education.
Washington
House Bill 1224 and Senate Bill 5183 (identical)
Amends a 2006 law that requires the boards of state and regional universities to develop policies on textbook bundling, promoting buyback, disclosing book costs to faculty, and encouraging faculty to consider price in selecting course materials. Places the same requirements on the community college districts.Final status: HB 1224 signed into law, 5/14/07.
History of HB 1224: Introduced 1/15/07; referred to the House Committee on Higher Education. Committee recommended passage, 2/5/07. Passed House, 2/28/07. Referred to Senate Committee on Higher Education, 3/2/07. Hearing, 3/15/07. Committee recommended passage, 3/20/07. Passed Senate, 4/10/07. Sent to governor, 4/14/07.
History of SB 5183: Introduced 1/12/07; referred to Senate Committee on Higher Education. Committee recommended passage, 2/1/07. Passed Senate, 2/28/07. Referred to House Committee on Higher Education, 3/2/07. Hearing, 3/21/07.
House Bill 1531 and Senate Bill 5784 (identical)
Waives sales taxes on course materials sold by bookstores "affiliated" with a higher education institution. Includes computer software and workbooks.
Waives sales taxes on course materials sold by bookstores "affiliated" with a higher education institution. Includes computer software and workbooks.
Final status: No action taken by regular session adjournment, 4/22/07.
History of HB 1531: Filed 1/22/07, referred to House Committee on Higher Education. Hearing, 2/5/07.
History of SB 5784: Filed 1/31/07, referred to Senate Committee on Higher Education. Hearing, 2/14/07. Committee recommended passage, 2/20/07. Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee.
House Bill 2300 and Senate Bill 6077 (identical)
Requires publishers of college textbooks to inform faculty of the wholesale prices of textbooks and the history of their revisions.
Requires publishers of college textbooks to inform faculty of the wholesale prices of textbooks and the history of their revisions.
Final status: HB 2300 signed into law, 4/21/07.
History of HB 2300: Introduced 2/19/07, referred to House Committee on Higher Education. Committee recommended passage, 2/27/07. Passed House, 3/12/07. Referred to Senate Committee on Higher Education. Hearing, 3/19/07. Committee recommended passage, 3/20/07. Passed Senate, 4/10/07. Sent to governor, 4/16/07.
History of SB 6077: Introduced 2/19/07, referred to Senate Committee on Higher Education. Hearing, 2/22/07. Committee recommended passage, 2/23/07. Senate rules no further action, 3/21/07.
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