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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to establishing a digital course materials pilot program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 61.0667 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.0667. DIGITAL COURSE MATERIALS PILOT PROGRAM. (a) |
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In this section: |
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(1) "Digital course material" means a digital |
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textbook, supplemental material, or open educational resource, as |
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those terms are defined by Section 51.451. |
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(2) "Eligible institution" means a public junior |
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college, public technical institute, or public state college. |
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(b) The board shall establish a pilot program under which |
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the board awards grants to participating eligible institutions to |
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provide financial assistance to students for the cost of accessing |
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digital course materials. |
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(c) The board shall adopt rules necessary to administer the |
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pilot program, including rules to: |
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(1) establish a methodology for selecting eligible |
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institutions to participate in the pilot program and allocating |
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money appropriated for the purpose of the pilot program among those |
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institutions that, to the greatest extent possible, results in a |
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distribution of grant awards that: |
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(A) reflects the varied geography and unique |
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institutional missions in this state; and |
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(B) serves students who meet financial need |
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requirements as defined by the board for the Texas Educational |
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Opportunity Grant Program under Subchapter P, Chapter 56, and other |
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diverse student populations that characterize higher education in |
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this state; and |
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(2) establish criteria that participating |
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institutions must use to evaluate digital course materials that may |
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be accessed using grants awarded under the pilot program, which may |
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include criteria regarding: |
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(A) access to relevant technical support; |
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(B) adherence to accessibility standards for |
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students with disabilities; |
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(C) positive impact on student outcomes; |
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(D) immediate access and availability of the |
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materials to all students enrolled at the institution; |
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(E) faculty access to resources and training |
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materials; |
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(F) subscription-based models; |
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(G) inclusive-access models; and |
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(H) supplemental resources that may be provided |
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to assist students with career readiness workforce development. |
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(d) In developing the rules adopted under Subsection (c), |
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the board shall solicit input from publishers, campus bookstore |
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operators, and other relevant industry representatives. |
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(e) This section does not affect any authority granted by an |
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eligible institution to a faculty member to select course materials |
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for courses taught by the faculty member. |
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(f) Not later than September 1, 2026, the board shall submit |
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to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house |
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of representatives, and the presiding officer of each legislative |
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standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education |
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a report that evaluates the effectiveness of the pilot program in |
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improving student outcomes. The report must include a |
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recommendation regarding whether the pilot program should be |
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continued, expanded, or terminated. |
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(g) This section expires September 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 2. (a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating |
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Board shall adopt rules to administer the pilot program established |
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under Section 61.0667, Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon |
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as practicable after the effective date of this Act. |
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(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall |
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award initial grants under Section 61.0667, Education Code, as |
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added by this Act, beginning with the 2024 spring semester. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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* * * * * |