Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

College & Workforce Development Committee

HB 1702

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Sponsors: Representatives Van Werven, Leavitt, Kraft, Entenman, Rude, Sutherland, Dye, Gildon, Slatter, Chambers, Graham, Caldier, Eslick, Mosbrucker, Young, Jinkins, Bergquist, Doglio and Pollet.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires community and technical colleges to designate during registration whether course materials are "low-cost."

Background:

ctcLink Requirements.

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) has begun implementing a single, centralized software system for each of the 34 community and technical colleges in which students, faculty, and staff will have access to a variety of tools online. The ctcLink system has been implemented at Tacoma Community College, Spokane Falls Community College, and Spokane Community College thus far.

After a community or technical college has implemented the ctcLink system, the college must provide to students during registration both the cost of any required textbook or other course material and whether the course uses Open Educational Resources. This information may be provided either by displaying it in the online course description or by providing a link that connects to the bookstore's website.

Summary of Bill:

Community and technical colleges must also indicate to students during registration whether a course uses low-cost required instructional materials. This information may be provided either in the course description or a link to the bookstore's website. A course uses low-cost instructional materials if the entire cost of the required materials equals fifty dollars or less.