1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; establishing a pilot program testing inclusive access 
1.3 	for the distribution of postsecondary textbooks; requiring a report; appropriating 
1.4 	money.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. INCLUSIVE ACCESS PILOT PROGRAM.
 1.7 	The inclusive access pilot program is established to address textbook affordability in 
1.8 	postsecondary institutions and determine the cost savings for both students and the 
1.9 	participating institutions. Inclusive access provides a digital distribution of course material 
1.10 	instead of traditional textbooks. The commissioner of higher education shall provide incentive 
1.11 	funding to Bemidji State University and South Central College for purposes of developing 
1.12 	and utilizing inclusive access for all courses offered at the institution, where available.  The 
1.13 	pilot program expires July 1, 2021. The commissioner shall report by December 1, 2021, 
1.14 	to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
1.15 	over higher education issues on the cost savings, feasibility, and acceptability of the inclusive 
1.16 	access pilot program.

1.17 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 1.18 	$....... is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of higher education for 
1.19 	the pilot program for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019.