84R3839 KJE-D
 
  By: Canales H.B. No. 926
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study and report regarding the use of open-source
  instructional materials at public institutions of higher
  education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 61.0666 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.0666.  STUDY ON USE OF OPEN-SOURCE INSTRUCTIONAL
  MATERIALS. (a) In this section, "open-source instructional
  material" means electronic instructional material that is
  available for downloading from the Internet at no charge to a
  student and without requiring the purchase of an unlock code,
  membership, or other access or use charge, except for a charge to
  order an optional printed copy of all or part of the instructional
  material.
         (b)  The board shall conduct a study regarding the use of
  open-source instructional materials at institutions of higher
  education. The study must include:
               (1)  an analysis of any impact that the use of
  open-source instructional materials has on the cost of other
  instructional materials;
               (2)  any difference in the quality of content or effect
  on the learning process between open-source instructional
  materials and other instructional materials; and
               (3)  an evaluation of information from other states
  that have implemented the use of open-source instructional
  materials at similar institutions regarding:
                     (A)  the benefits realized and costs incurred from
  the use of those materials; and
                     (B)  best practices for the use of those
  materials.
         (c)  Not later than September 1, 2016, the board shall submit
  to each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction
  over higher education the results of its study under this section
  and recommendations for legislative or other action.
         (d)  This section expires September 1, 2017.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.