HF 3985

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/19/2018 03:04pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; requiring Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
to provide affordable textbooks for a percentage of courses; requiring a report;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 136F.58, subdivision 2a; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136F.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [136F.29] AFFORDABLE TEXTBOOKS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) “Affordable textbook” means any textbook that costs $40 or less including traditional
textbooks, open educational resources, open textbooks, or other educational resources
intended to be used in place of a traditional textbook.
new text end

new text begin (c) “Course” means a single unit of teaching in one subject area led by one or more
instructors, with a definite start and end date and a fixed roster of students.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Affordable textbook policy. new text end

new text begin By August 31, 2020, 15 percent of all courses
offered at state colleges and universities must use affordable textbooks.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report required. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning in 2019, the board must submit an annual
report by January 15 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over higher education. The report must include the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) percentage and number of courses using traditional textbooks under $40;
new text end

new text begin (2) percentage and number of courses using open textbooks;
new text end

new text begin (3) percentage and number of courses using open educational resources;
new text end

new text begin (4) percentage and number of developmental education courses using affordable
textbooks; and
new text end

new text begin (5) average total textbook cost.
new text end

new text begin (b) The report must disaggregate data for each individual college and university by
academic program.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 136F.58, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Course schedule and material list.

(a) Each state college and university shall
compile a course schedule indicating each course offered by the state college or university
for each term and shall include with the course schedule a list of the required and
recommended course materials that specifies deleted text begin , to the extent practicable, deleted text end the information
required in subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

(b) At the time required by subdivision 3, paragraph (c), a state college or university
shall publish course schedules and course material lists on the state college's or university's
Web site.