BILL ANALYSIS
By: Hochberg
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The state pays for most public school textbooks. The State Board of Education adopts the textbooks and sets the maximum price that the state will pay. Since the SBOE sets the maximum price and pays the publisher directly, there is no market incentive for textbook publishers to set lower prices. Therefore, most textbooks cost the maximum amount. During the 77th Session, a textbook credit program was established to determine if market forces will drive down the cost of textbooks. Participating school districts did achieve some savings, but the limited scope of the pilot limited its benefits. A statewide program with participation by all school districts will achieve even more savings for the state and the school districts. This bill expands the textbook credit program statewide.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
This bill creates a statewide textbook credit program. The bill allows school districts to use the credits to purchase technological equipment used for instruction, in addition to textbooks and electronic textbooks. The bill requires the commissioner to prepare a report on the textbook credit system for the 81st Legislature.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session. The Act applies beginning with the 2006-2007 school year.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute is a Legislative Council draft, unlike the original bill. When revising the bill, Legislative Council changed the wording in the caption. The substitute changes the start date for this bill from the 2005-2006 school year to the 2006-2007 school year. It also changes the date that the Commissioner shall prepare a report relating to the use of the textbook system.