80(R) SB 114 - House Committee Report version

TO:	Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education

FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB114 by Van de Putte (Relating to the sale of instructional materials to students of public institutions of higher education.), Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended

Under provisions of the bill, higher education institutions would be required to make available for public inspection through the Internet or in person a list of required or recommended instructional materials for a semester or other academic term at the same time the institution provides the list to the operator of a university-affiliated bookstore. The institutions would also be required to offer retailers that hold a sales tax permit the same opportunities as university-affiliated bookstores in terms of space for the dissemination of instructional materials as well as the extension of credit. The bill would not apply to an institution of higher education with a university-affiliated bookstore if the bookstore is owned and operated by the institution. The bill also requires textbook publishers to make available to faculty members of institutions of higher education certain information regarding the textbooks as indicated in the bill. The institutions of higher education would be able to implement these provisions within existing resources. Some institutions have indicated that implementing the bill could impact student services and existing agreements with retailers.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 80TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


May 16, 2007