80R10279 CAE-D

By: Shapiro S.B. No. 1698

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to public school instructional materials.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 7.055(b)(28), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(28) The commissioner shall perform duties relating to the funding, adoption, and purchase of instructional materials [textbooks] under Chapter 31.

SECTION 2. Section 7.056(f), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(f) A school district or campus that is required to develop and implement a student achievement improvement plan under Section 39.131 or 39.132 may receive an exemption or waiver under this section from any law or rule other than:

(1) a prohibition on conduct that constitutes a criminal offense;

(2) a requirement imposed by federal law or rule;

(3) a requirement, restriction, or prohibition imposed by state law or rule relating to:

(A) public school accountability as provided by Subchapters B, C, D, and G, Chapter 39; or

(B) educator rights and benefits under Subchapters A, C, D, E, F, G, and I, Chapter 21, or under Subchapter A, Chapter 22; or

(4) [textbook] selection of instructional materials under Chapter 31.

SECTION 3. Section 7.102(c)(23), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(23) The board shall adopt and purchase or license instructional materials [textbooks] as provided by Chapter 31 and adopt rules required by that chapter.

SECTION 4. Sections 7.108(a) and (c), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) A person interested in selling bonds of any type or a person engaged in manufacturing, shipping, selling, or advertising instructional materials [textbooks] or otherwise connected with the instructional material [textbook] business commits an offense if the person makes or authorizes a political contribution to or takes part in, directly or indirectly, the campaign of any person seeking election to or serving on the board.

(c) In this section:

(1) "Instructional material" has the meaning assigned by Section 31.002.

(2) "Political contribution" has the meaning assigned by Section 251.001, Election Code.

[(2) "Textbook" has the meaning assigned by Section 31.002.]

SECTION 5. The heading to Section 7.112, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 7.112. REPRESENTATION OF [TEXTBOOK] PUBLISHER OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS BY FORMER MEMBER OF BOARD.

SECTION 6. Section 7.112(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A former member of the State Board of Education who is employed by or otherwise receives compensation from a [textbook] publisher of instructional materials may not, before the second anniversary of the date on which the person last served as a member of the State Board of Education:

(1) confer with a member of the board of trustees of a school district concerning instructional materials [a textbook] published by that [textbook] publisher; or

(2) appear at a meeting of the board of trustees on behalf of the [textbook] publisher.

SECTION 7. Section 7.112(c)(2), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(2) "Instructional material" and "publisher" ["Publisher" and "textbook"] have the meanings assigned by Section 31.002.

SECTION 8. Section 11.158(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The board may not charge fees for:

(1) instructional materials [textbooks], workbooks, laboratory supplies, or other supplies necessary for participation in any instructional course except as authorized under this code;

(2) field trips required as a part of a basic education program or course;

(3) any specific form of dress necessary for any required educational program or diplomas;

(4) the payment of instructional costs for necessary school personnel employed in any course or educational program required for graduation;

(5) library materials [books] required to be used for any educational course or program, other than fines for lost, damaged, or overdue materials [books];

(6) admission to any activity the student is required to attend as a prerequisite to graduation;

(7) admission to or examination in any required educational course or program; or

(8) lockers.

SECTION 9. Section 11.164(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The board of trustees of each school district shall limit redundant requests for information and the number and length of written reports that a classroom teacher is required to prepare. A classroom teacher may not be required to prepare any written information other than:

(1) any report concerning the health, safety, or welfare of a student;

(2) a report of a student's grade on an assignment or examination;

(3) a report of a student's academic progress in a class or course;

(4) a report of a student's grades at the end of each grade reporting period;

(5) a [textbook] report on instructional materials;

(6) a unit or weekly lesson plan that outlines, in a brief and general manner, the information to be presented during each period at the secondary level or in each subject or topic at the elementary level;

(7) an attendance report;

(8) any report required for accreditation review;

(9) any information required by a school district that relates to a complaint, grievance, or actual or potential litigation and that requires the classroom teacher's involvement; or

(10) any information specifically required by law, rule, or regulation.

SECTION 10. Section 19.007(e), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(e) The district may participate in the instructional materials [textbook] program under Chapter 31.

SECTION 11. Sections 26.006(a) and (c), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) A parent is entitled to:

(1) review all teaching materials, instructional materials [textbooks], and other teaching aids used in the classroom of the parent's child; and

(2) review each test administered to the parent's child after the test is administered.

(c) A student's parent is entitled to request that the school district or open-enrollment charter school the student attends allow the student to take home any instructional materials [textbook] used by the student. Subject to the availability of the instructional materials [a textbook], the district or school shall honor the request. A student who takes home instructional materials [a textbook] must return the instructional materials [textbook] to school at the beginning of the next school day if requested to do so by the student's teacher. In this subsection, "instructional material" ["textbook"] has the meaning assigned by Section 31.002.

SECTION 12. Sections 28.002(c) and (h), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(c) The State Board of Education, with the direct participation of educators, parents, business and industry representatives, and employers shall by rule identify the essential knowledge and skills of each subject of the required curriculum that all students should be able to demonstrate and that will be used in evaluating instructional materials [textbooks] under Chapter 31 and addressed on the assessment instruments required under Subchapter B, Chapter 39. As a condition of accreditation, the board shall require each district to provide instruction in the essential knowledge and skills at appropriate grade levels.

(h) The State Board of Education and each school district shall foster the continuation of the tradition of teaching United States and Texas history and the free enterprise system in regular subject matter and in reading courses and in the adoption of instructional materials [textbooks]. A primary purpose of the public school curriculum is to prepare thoughtful, active citizens who understand the importance of patriotism and can function productively in a free enterprise society with appreciation for the basic democratic values of our state and national heritage.

SECTION 13. The heading to Chapter 31, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 31. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS]

SECTION 14. Sections 31.001, 31.002, and 31.003, Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

Sec. 31.001. FREE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS]. Instructional materials [Textbooks] selected for use in the public schools shall be furnished without cost to the students attending those schools.

Sec. 31.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Instructional material" ["Electronic textbook"] means a medium or a combination of media for conveying information to a student. The term includes a book, supplementary materials, a combination of a book and supplementary materials, computer software, [interactive videodisc,] magnetic media, DVD, CD-ROM, computer courseware, on-line services, or an electronic medium [, or other means of conveying information to the student or otherwise contributing to the learning process through electronic means].

(2) "Publisher" means a person who prepares instructional materials for sale or distribution to educational institutions. The term includes an on-line service or a developer or distributor of [an] electronic instructional materials [textbook].

(3) "State-adopted" means adopted by the State Board of Education under Section 31.022. ["Textbook" means a book, a system of instructional materials, or a combination of a book and supplementary instructional materials that conveys information to the student or otherwise contributes to the learning process, or an electronic textbook.

[(4) "Technological equipment" means hardware, a device, or equipment necessary for:

[(A) instructional use in the classroom, including to gain access to or enhance the use of an electronic textbook; or

[(B)professional use by a classroom teacher.]

Sec. 31.003. RULES. The State Board of Education may adopt rules, consistent with this chapter, for the adoption, requisition, distribution, care, use, and disposal of instructional materials [textbooks].

SECTION 15. Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Education Code, is amended by amending Sections 31.021, 31.022, and 31.026 through 31.030, and adding Sections 31.0211, 31.0212, 31.0231, and 31.0232 to read as follows:

Sec. 31.021. STATE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOK] FUND. (a) The state instructional materials [textbook] fund consists of:

(1) an amount set aside by the State Board of Education from the available school fund, computed in accordance with this section;

(2) all funds accruing from the state's sale of disused instructional materials [textbooks]; and

(3) all amounts lawfully paid into the fund from any other source.

(b) The State Board of Education shall annually set aside out of the available school fund of the state an amount sufficient for the instructional materials allotment to provide [board,] school districts[,] and open-enrollment charter schools with the amount of funding required under Section 31.0212 to purchase and distribute the necessary state-adopted instructional materials [textbooks] for the use of the students of this state for the following school year. The board shall determine the amount of the available school fund to set aside for the state instructional materials [textbook] fund based on the amount of the allotment under Section 31.0211 and on attendance reports submitted under Section 31.103.[:

[(1) a report by the commissioner issued on July 1 or, if that date is a Saturday or Sunday, on the following Monday, stating the amount of unobligated money in the fund;

[(2) the commissioner's estimate, based on textbooks selected under Section 31.101 and on attendance reports submitted under Section 31.103 by school districts and open-enrollment charter schools, of the amount of funds, in addition to funds reported under Subdivision (1), that will be necessary for purchase and distribution of textbooks for the following school year; and

[(3) any amount the board determines should be set aside for emergency purposes caused by unexpected increases in attendance.]

(c) This subsection applies only if the pilot project established under Section 54.2161 is implemented, and expires August 15, 2009. In addition to the amount set aside under Subsection (b), the State Board of Education shall annually set aside out of the available school fund an amount sufficient for each school district with one or more students entitled to free textbooks under the pilot project established under Section 54.2161 to pay the costs of those textbooks as required by Section 31.031 for the following school year. The board shall determine the amount of the available school fund to set aside for the state instructional materials [textbook] fund for purposes of this subsection based on the commissioner's estimate of the amount that will be necessary to pay the costs of textbooks as required under Section 31.031.

(d) Money transferred to the state instructional materials [textbook] fund remains in the fund until spent and does not lapse to the state at the end of the fiscal year.

(e) All necessary expenses incurred under this chapter shall be paid from the state instructional materials [textbook] fund on invoices approved by the commissioner.

Sec. 31.0211. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ALLOTMENT. (a) For the maximum attendance reported under Section 31.103 in a school year, a school district or open-enrollment charter school is entitled to an annual allotment of $75 for each student or a greater amount provided by appropriation, to be transferred from the instructional materials fund to the credit of the school district's instructional materials account as provided by Section 31.0212.

(b) In addition to the allotment provided by Subsection (a), a school district that contracts with a juvenile justice alternative education program under Section 37.011 is entitled to an allotment from the instructional materials fund in an amount determined by the commissioner. The district and the program may contract for the program to use the allotment to purchase approved instructional materials for students enrolled in the program. The commissioner's determination under this subsection is final and may not be appealed.

(c) Funds allotted under this section may be used only to purchase state-adopted instructional materials.

(d) This section applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. This subsection expires September 1, 2010.

Sec. 31.0212. SCHOOL DISTRICT OR CHARTER SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ACCOUNT. (a) The commissioner shall maintain an instructional materials account for each school district or open-enrollment charter school. Each school year, the commissioner shall deposit in a district's or school's account the amount of the instructional materials allotment under Section 31.0211 for the district or school.

(b) The commissioner shall pay the cost of instructional materials requisitioned by a school district or open-enrollment charter school using funds from that district's or school's instructional materials account.

(c) Money credited to the instructional materials account of a school district or open-enrollment charter school remains in the account until spent and does not lapse to the state at the end of the fiscal year.

(d) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

Sec. 31.022. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL [TEXTBOOK] REVIEW AND ADOPTION. (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt a review and adoption cycle for instructional materials [textbooks] for elementary grade levels, including prekindergarten, and secondary grade levels, for each subject in the required curriculum under Section 28.002.

(b) The board shall organize the cycle for subjects in the foundation curriculum so that not more than one-sixth of the instructional materials [textbooks] for subjects in the foundation curriculum are reviewed each year. The board shall adopt rules to provide for a full and complete investigation of instructional materials [textbooks] for each subject in the foundation curriculum at least every six years. The adoption of instructional materials [textbooks] for a subject in the foundation curriculum may be extended beyond the six-year period only if the content of instructional materials [textbooks] for a subject is sufficiently current.

(c) The board shall adopt rules to provide for a full and complete investigation of instructional materials [textbooks] for each subject in the enrichment curriculum on a cycle the board considers appropriate.

(d) At least 24 months before the beginning of the school year for which instructional materials [textbooks] for a particular subject and grade level will be purchased under the review and adoption cycle adopted by the board, the board shall publish notice of the review and adoption cycle for those instructional materials [textbooks].

(e) In organizing the cycle for review and adoption of instructional materials, the board shall review and consider expected average costs of the instructional materials that will be adopted and the amount of the instructional materials allotment to ensure that the amount of the instructional materials that will be adopted over a two-year period may be purchased within the amount of the instructional material allotment for that same period.

(f) In addition to organizing a review and adoption cycle, the board by rule shall allow an instructional material to be submitted, reviewed, and adopted at a time when the subject or grade level is not scheduled for review and adoption in the cycle, at an interval of at least once every two years, or at another time in the discretion of the board to respond to needs that may arise, in conformance with the procedures for adoption of other state-adopted instructional materials. The board shall place each instructional material submitted under this subsection and adopted on the state-adopted instructional materials list under Section 31.0231.

Sec. 31.0231. STATE-ADOPTED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS. (a) For each subject and grade level, the State Board of Education shall review submitted instructional materials for factual errors. The board shall adopt all instructional materials that the board determines are free from factual errors and shall place the materials on the state-adopted instructional materials list.

(b) For each state-adopted instructional material, the board must determine the alignment of the instructional material with the essential knowledge and skills for the subject area and grade level. The board must identify:

(1) the elements of the essential knowledge and skills for the subject and grade level covered by the instructional material; and

(2) the degree to which the instructional material covers each element of the essential knowledge and skills for the subject and grade level.

Sec. 31.0232. PUBLICATION OF STATE-ADOPTED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS LIST. Not later than December 1 of the year preceding the school year for which the instructional materials for a particular subject and grade level will be purchased under the cycle adopted by the board under Section 31.022, the board shall provide the list of state-adopted instructional materials to each school district and open-enrollment charter school.

Sec. 31.026. CONTRACT; PRICE. (a) The State Board of Education shall execute a contract[:

[(1)] for the purchase or licensing of each state-adopted instructional material. [adopted textbook other than an electronic textbook; and

[(2) for the purchase or licensing of each adopted electronic textbook.]

(b) A contract must require the publisher to provide all of the state-adopted instructional materials [the number of textbooks] required by school districts in this state for the term of the contract, which must coincide with the board's adoption cycle.

(c) As applicable, a contract must provide for the purchase or licensing of instructional materials [a textbook] at a specific price, which may not exceed the lowest price paid by any other state or any school or school district. The price must be fixed for the term of the contract.

Sec. 31.027. INFORMATION TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS; SAMPLE COPIES. (a) A publisher shall provide each school district and open-enrollment charter school with information that fully describes each of the publisher's state-adopted instructional materials [adopted textbooks]. On request of a school district, a publisher shall provide a sample copy of a state-adopted instructional material [an adopted textbook].

(b) A publisher shall provide at least two sample copies of each state-adopted instructional material [adopted textbook] to be maintained at each regional education service center.

Sec. 31.028. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS]. (a) The State Board of Education may purchase special instructional materials [textbooks] for the education of blind and visually impaired students in public schools. In addition, for a teacher who is blind or visually impaired, the board shall provide a teacher's edition in Braille or large type, as requested by the teacher, for each instructional material [textbook] the teacher uses in the instruction of students. The teacher edition must be available at the same time the student instructional materials [textbooks] become available.

(b) The publisher of an adopted instructional material [textbook] shall provide the agency with computerized [textbook] files for the production of Braille instructional materials [textbooks] or other versions of instructional materials [textbooks] to be used by students with disabilities, on request of the State Board of Education. A publisher shall arrange the computerized [textbook] files in one of several optional formats specified by the State Board of Education.

(c) The board may also enter into agreements providing for the acceptance, requisition, and distribution of special instructional materials [textbooks and instructional aids] pursuant to 20 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq. for use by students enrolled in:

(1) public schools; or

(2) private nonprofit schools, if state funds, other than for administrative costs, are not involved.

(d) In this section:

(1) "Blind or visually impaired student" includes any student whose visual acuity is impaired to the extent that the student is unable to read the text [print] in [a] regularly adopted instructional materials [textbook] used in the student's class.

(2) "Special instructional materials" [textbook"] means instructional materials [a textbook] in Braille, large type or any other medium or any apparatus that conveys information to a student or otherwise contributes to the learning process.

Sec. 31.029. BILINGUAL INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS]. The board shall adopt instructional materials [purchase or otherwise acquire textbooks] for use in bilingual education classes.

Sec. 31.030. USED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS]. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to ensure that used instructional materials [textbooks] sold to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools are not sample copies that contain factual errors. The rules may provide for the imposition of an administrative penalty in accordance with Section 31.151 against a seller of used instructional materials [textbooks] who knowingly violates this section.

SECTION 16. Section 31.031(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) From the amount set aside by the State Board of Education under Section 31.021(c) or credited to the district's instructional materials account under Section 31.0212, the school district that a student entitled to free textbooks under the pilot project established by Section 54.2161 attends shall pay the costs of each textbook the student requires for a course described by Section 54.2161(b)(2).

SECTION 17. Subchapter C, Chapter 31, Education Code, is amended by adding Sections 31.1011 and 31.1012 to read as follows:

Sec. 31.1011. SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS. (a) Each year, during a period established by the State Board of Education, the board of trustees of each school district and the governing body of each open-enrollment charter school shall notify the State Board of Education of the instructional materials selected by the board of trustees or governing body for the following school year from among the state-adopted instructional materials.

(b) A school district may select to use more than one state-adopted instructional material for each subject.

Sec. 31.1012. CERTIFICATION OF PROVISION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS. Each school district or open-enrollment charter school shall annually certify to the agency that, for each subject in the foundation curriculum and each grade level, the district or school provides each student with one or more instructional materials that in combination are aligned with the essential knowledge and skills adopted by the State Board of Education for that subject and grade level.

SECTION 18. Section 31.102, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 31.102. TITLE AND CUSTODY. (a) Each instructional material [textbook] purchased as provided by this chapter is the property of this state.

(b) Subsection (a) applies to an electronic instructional material [textbook] only to the extent of any applicable licensing agreement.

(c) The board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school is the legal custodian of instructional materials [textbooks] purchased as provided by this chapter for the district or school. The board of trustees shall distribute instructional materials [textbooks] to students in the manner that the board or governing body determines is most effective and economical.

SECTION 19. The heading to Section 31.103, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 31.103. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL [TEXTBOOK] REQUISITIONS.

SECTION 20. Sections 31.103(b) and (c), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(b) A requisition for instructional materials [textbooks] for the following school year shall be based on the maximum attendance reports under Subsection (a), plus an additional 10 percent, except as otherwise provided. A school district or open-enrollment charter school shall make a requisition for instructional materials [a textbook on the conforming or nonconforming list] through the commissioner to the state depository designated by the publisher or as provided by State Board of Education rule, as applicable, not later than June 1 of each year. The designated state depository or, if the publisher [or manufacturer] does not have a designated instructional materials [textbook] depository in this state under Section 31.151(a)(6)(B), the publisher [or manufacturer] shall fill a requisition approved by the agency at any other time in the case of an emergency. As made necessary by available funds, the commissioner shall reduce the additional percentage of attendance for which a district or school may requisition instructional materials [textbooks]. The commissioner may, on application of a district or school that is experiencing high enrollment growth, increase the additional percentage of attendance for which the district or school may requisition instructional materials [textbooks].

(c) In making a requisition under this section, a school district or open-enrollment charter school may requisition instructional materials [textbooks on the conforming or nonconforming list] for grades above the grade level in which a student is enrolled, except that the total quantity of instructional materials [textbooks] requisitioned under this section may not exceed the limit prescribed by Subsection (b).

SECTION 21. Sections 31.104 through 31.106, Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

Sec. 31.104. DISTRIBUTION AND HANDLING. (a) The board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school may delegate to an employee the authority to requisition, distribute, and manage the inventory of instructional materials [textbooks] in a manner consistent with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter.

(b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may order replacements for instructional materials [textbooks] that have been lost or damaged directly from:

(1) the instructional materials [textbook] depository; or

(2) the [textbook] publisher of the instructional materials [or manufacturer] if the [textbook] publisher [or manufacturer] does not have a designated instructional materials [textbook] depository in this state under Section 31.151(a)(6)(B).

(c) Each instructional material [textbook] must state that the instructional material [textbook] is the property of or is licensed to this state, as appropriate. Each instructional material [textbook], other than an electronic instructional material [textbook], must be covered by the student under the direction of the teacher. A student must return all instructional materials [textbooks] to the teacher at the end of the school year or when the student withdraws from school.

(d) Each student, or the student's parent or guardian, is responsible for each instructional material [textbook] not returned by the student. A student who fails to return all instructional materials [textbooks] forfeits the right to free instructional materials [textbooks] until each instructional material [textbook] previously issued but not returned is paid for by the student, parent, or guardian. As provided by policy of the board of trustees or governing body, a school district or open-enrollment charter school may waive or reduce the payment requirement if the student is from a low-income family. The district or school shall allow the student to use instructional materials [textbooks] at school during each school day. If an instructional material [a textbook] is not returned or paid for, the district or school may withhold the student's records. A district or school may not, under this subsection, prevent a student from graduating, participating in a graduation ceremony, or receiving a diploma.

(e) The board of trustees of a school district may not require an employee of the district to pay for an instructional material [a textbook] or instructional technology that is stolen, misplaced, or not returned by a student.

Sec. 31.105. SALE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS]. The board of trustees of a school district or governing body of an open-enrollment charter school may sell instructional materials [textbooks], other than electronic instructional materials [textbooks], to a student or another school at the state contract price. The district or school shall send money from the sale of instructional materials [textbooks] to the commissioner as required by the commissioner. The commissioner shall deposit the money in the state instructional materials [textbook] fund to the credit of the district's or school's instructional materials account.

Sec. 31.106. USE OF LOCAL FUNDS. In addition to any instructional materials [textbook] selected under this chapter, a school district or open-enrollment charter school may use local funds to purchase any instructional materials [textbooks].

SECTION 22. The heading to Section 31.151, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 31.151. DUTIES OF PUBLISHERS [AND MANUFACTURERS].

SECTION 23. Sections 31.151(a), (b), and (d), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) A publisher [or manufacturer] of instructional materials [textbooks]:

(1) shall furnish any instructional material [textbook] the publisher [or manufacturer] offers in this state[,] at a price that does not exceed the lowest price at which the publisher offers that instructional material [textbook] for adoption or sale to any state, public school, or school district in the United States;

(2) shall automatically reduce the price of an instructional material [a textbook] sold for use in a school district or open-enrollment charter school to the extent that the price is reduced elsewhere in the United States;

(3) shall provide any instructional material [textbook] or ancillary item free of charge in this state to the same extent that the publisher [or manufacturer] provides the instructional material [textbook] or ancillary item free of charge to any state, public school, or school district in the United States;

(4) shall guarantee that each copy of an instructional material [a textbook] sold in this state is at least equal in quality to copies of that instructional material [textbook] sold elsewhere in the United States and is free from factual error;

(5) may not become associated or connected with, directly or indirectly, any combination in restraint of trade in instructional materials [textbooks] or enter into any understanding or combination to control prices or restrict competition in the sale of instructional materials [textbooks] for use in this state;

(6) shall:

(A) maintain a depository in this state or arrange with a depository in this state to receive and fill orders for instructional materials [textbooks], other than on-line instructional materials [textbooks] or on-line instructional material [textbook] components, consistent with State Board of Education rules; or

(B) deliver instructional materials [textbooks] to a school district or open-enrollment charter school without a delivery charge to the school district, open-enrollment charter school, or state, if:

(i) the publisher [or manufacturer] does not maintain or arrange with a depository in this state under Paragraph (A) and the publisher's [or manufacturer's] instructional materials [textbooks] and related products are warehoused or otherwise stored less than 300 miles from a border of this state; or

(ii) the instructional materials [textbooks] are on-line instructional materials [textbooks] or on-line instructional material [textbook] components;

(7) shall, at the time an order for instructional materials [textbooks] is acknowledged, provide to school districts or open-enrollment charter schools an accurate shipping date for instructional materials [textbooks] that are back-ordered;

(8) shall guarantee delivery of instructional materials [textbooks] at least 10 business days before the opening day of school of the year for which the instructional materials [textbooks] are ordered if the instructional materials [textbooks] are ordered by a date specified in the sales contract; and

(9) shall submit to the State Board of Education an affidavit certifying any instructional material [textbook] the publisher [or manufacturer] offers in this state to be free of factual errors at the time the publisher executes the contract required by Section 31.026.

(b) The State Board of Education may impose a reasonable administrative penalty against a publisher [or manufacturer] who knowingly violates Subsection (a). The board shall provide for a hearing to be held to determine whether a penalty is to be imposed and, if so, the amount of the penalty. The board shall base the amount of the penalty on:

(1) the seriousness of the violation;

(2) any history of a previous violation;

(3) the amount necessary to deter a future violation;

(4) any effort to correct the violation; and

(5) any other matter justice requires.

(d) A penalty collected under this section shall be deposited to the credit of the state instructional materials [textbook] fund.

SECTION 24. The heading to Section 31.152, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 31.152. ACCEPTING REBATE ON INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS].

SECTION 25. Sections 31.152(a) and (b), Education Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) A school trustee, administrator, or teacher commits an offense if that person receives any commission or rebate on any instructional materials [textbooks] used in the schools with which the person is associated as a trustee, administrator, or teacher.

(b) A school trustee, administrator, or teacher commits an offense if the person accepts a gift, favor, or service that:

(1) is given to the person or the person's school;

(2) might reasonably tend to influence a trustee, administrator, or teacher in the selection of instructional materials [a textbook]; and

(3) could not be lawfully purchased with funds from the state instructional materials [textbook] fund.

SECTION 26. The heading to Section 31.153, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 31.153. VIOLATION OF FREE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOK] LAW.

SECTION 27. Section 31.153(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly violates any law providing for the purchase or distribution of free instructional materials [textbooks] for the public schools.

SECTION 28. Subchapter E, Chapter 31, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER E. DISPOSITION OF

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS]

Sec. 31.201. DISPOSITION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS]. (a) The commissioner, with the approval of the State Board of Education, may provide for the disposition of:

(1) instructional materials [textbooks], other than electronic instructional materials [textbooks], that are no longer in acceptable condition to be used for instructional purposes; or

(2) discontinued instructional materials [textbooks], other than electronic instructional materials [textbooks].

(b) The commissioner, as provided by rules adopted by the State Board of Education, shall make available on request copies of discontinued instructional materials [textbooks], other than electronic instructional materials [textbooks], for use in libraries maintained in municipal and county jails and facilities of the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and other state agencies.

(c) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules under which a school district or open-enrollment charter school may donate discontinued instructional materials [textbooks], other than electronic instructional materials [textbooks], to a student, to an adult education program, or to a nonprofit organization.

SECTION 29. Section 32.005, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) "Technological equipment" means hardware, a device, or equipment necessary for:

(1) instructional use in the classroom, including to gain access to or enhance the use of electronic instructional materials; or

(2) professional use by a classroom teacher.

SECTION 30. Section 32.156, Education Code, as added by Chapter 1216, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 32.156. ON-LINE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS]. (a) The agency may develop and adopt strategies for making instructional materials [textbooks] available through the portal or through other means in an electronic format as an alternative or supplement to traditional instructional materials [textbooks].

(b) In developing and adopting strategies under this section, the agency shall seek to achieve a system under which a student may, in addition to [a] traditional instructional materials [textbook], be provided with secure Internet access to each instructional material [textbook] used by the student.

SECTION 31. Section 32.161(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) To the extent possible considering other statutory requirements, the commissioner and agency shall encourage the use of instructional materials allotment [textbook] funds under Section 31.0211 and technology allotment funds under Section 32.005 [31.021(b)(2)] in a manner that facilitates the development and use of the portal.

SECTION 32. The following sections of the Education Code are repealed:

(1) Section 31.023;

(2) Section 31.024;

(3) Section 31.025;

(4) Section 31.101; and

(5) Section 31.1031.

SECTION 33. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.