as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 01/13/2023 08:10am
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 2022, 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:
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(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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(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.
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(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.
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By August 31, 2024, 15 percent of all courses
offered at state colleges and universities must use affordable textbooks.
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(a) Beginning in 2023, 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:
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(1) the percentage and number of courses using traditional textbooks under $40;
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(2) the percentage and number of courses using open textbooks;
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(3) the percentage and number of courses using open educational resources;
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(4) the percentage and number of developmental education courses using affordable
textbooks; and
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(5) the average total textbook cost.
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(b) The report must disaggregate data for each individual college and university by
academic program.
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Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 136F.58, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
(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 specifiesdeleted 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
website.