1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to higher education; encouraging open textbook usage; appropriating 
1.3 	money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. MNSCU OPEN TEXTBOOKS; APPROPRIATION.
 1.6 	(a) $....... is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2017 to the Board of 
1.7 	Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for pilot programs on system 
1.8 	campuses that promote adoption of open textbooks. Programs must focus on the review, 
1.9 	creation, and promotion of new or existing open textbooks and on saving money for 
1.10 	students while meeting the academic needs of faculty.
1.11 	(b) By March 15, 2017, the board shall report to the chairs and ranking minority 
1.12 	members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education regarding 
1.13 	the progress of the pilot programs. The report shall include a summary of each pilot 
1.14 	program and the total savings expected for students as a result of the programs.

1.15 	Sec. 2. MNSCU OPEN TEXTBOOK LIBRARY; APPROPRIATION.
 1.16 	$....... is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2017 to the Board of 
1.17 	Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to expand and promote the open 
1.18 	textbook library to faculty across the state.