HF 2298

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/25/2014 02:01pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; requiring textbooks to be made available in electronic
format; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 135A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [135A.27] ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOKS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Any individual, firm, partnership, or corporation that publishes textbooks offered
for sale at the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Colleges and University
system, or a private postsecondary educational institution in this state must, to the extent
practicable, make textbooks available for sale in an electronic format. The electronic
version of a textbook shall contain the same content as the printed version and may be
copy-protected.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall,
and the University of Minnesota is requested to, require that 80 percent of all textbooks
available for purchase at any bookstore that services the college or university be made
available in a downloadable, electronic format. The pricing of electronic textbooks
shall not exceed the pricing of similar, noneducational materials currently offered in
the private market.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this section, "textbook" means a book that contains printed
material and is intended for use as a source of study material for a class or group of
students, a copy of which is expected to be available for the use of each of the students in
that class or group.
new text end

new text begin (d) This section does not authorize any use of instructional materials that would
constitute an infringement of copyright under the Copyright Revision Act of 1976, as
amended.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2016.
new text end