What's happening
This bill allows New York colleges to adopt innovative textbook pricing policies, including bulk and digital options, to lower student costs.
Why it matters
Empowers colleges to experiment with new textbook payment models. , such as bulk purchasing or digital delivery, potentially leading to more flexible and affordable options for students beyond traditional bookstore purchases.
Requires that students always have the ability to opt out. of any innovative pricing program, ensuring that participation is voluntary and students retain control over their own purchasing decisions.
Mandates that any new pricing model must be proven to offer materials at below-market rates. , adding a layer of consumer protection so that colleges can only implement these programs if they truly result in cost savings for students.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Lower Textbook Costs for Students
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.129
- Referred to higher education
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to higher education
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 58–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
Show 2 earlier actions
- 1st report cal.694
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Lower College Textbook Costs
In Assembly Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Alicia Hyndman
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3661
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 11, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GOUNARDES -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to reducing the cost of textbooks for students of institutions of higher education
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 725 to read as follows:
§ 725. Reduction of cost of textbooks and course materials. 1. Every institution of higher education as defined in this article is authorized to adopt policies that allow the use of innovative pricing techniques and payment options for textbooks, supplemental materials, and other course materials or textbooks in accordance with 34 CFR 668.164(c)(2).
2. Policies adopted pursuant to subdivision one of this section may include, but are not limited to, bulk pricing arrangements that enable students to purchase textbooks or other instructional materials that are delivered: (a) digitally; (b) through technology that is required to be used within a course; or (c) in print format.
3. Innovative pricing techniques and payment options adopted pursuant to this section shall include an opt-out provision for students.
4. Innovative pricing techniques and payment options adopted pursuant to this section shall be adopted only if there is documented evidence that the proposed options would result in the textbooks or other instructional materials being made available to students at below competitive market rates.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04944-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to reducing the cost of textbooks for students of institutions of higher education
Purpose
To authorize colleges and universities to seek more affordable textbook options for students.
Summary of provisions
Section one of this bill amends the Education Law by adding a new section 725. This new section authorizes institutions of higher educa- tion to adopt policies that are in accordance with 34 CFR 668.164(c)(2) to allow the use of innovative pricing techniques and payment options for textbooks, supplemental materials, and other course materials.
Section two of this bill provides that this act shall take effect imme- diately.
Justification
Alternatives to conventional textbooks - including digital learning platforms and innovating pricing models consistent with 34 CFR 668.164(c)(2) - can help reduce the financial burden on students. Digital versions of textbooks typically cost substantially less than the print versions. Innovative pricing models can also be implemented where- by an institution of higher education negotiates with a publisher for digital instructional materials access for all students in a course or courses, at lower prices than standard market rates. Students pay for their instructional materials as part of their tuition and fees, get their resources by the first day of class, and may opt out. These inno- vative pricing models also allow students to apply loans, grants, and scholarships to textbook purchases.
These models are based on regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education (34 CFR 668.164(c)(2)) which allow students to use Title IV federal student aid funds to obtain instructional materials as part of tuition and fees. In addition, digital learning programs can improve student outcomes in that they adapt to the learning needs and pathways of individual students, as well as enable professors to track student performance and tailor instruction accordingly.
This bill will make clear to New York State institutions that they may implement innovative pricing models in accordance with 34 CFR 668.164(c)(2)to make college instructional materials available to students at below competitive market rates.
Legislative history
2018: S.6608 - Passed the Senate 2017: S.6608 - Referred to Rules
Fiscal implications
None to the State
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.