SENATE BILL REPORT

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 less than $50.

Background: In 2009, the United States Congress passed the Higher Education Opportunity Act which included provisions related to students choice and knowledge about textbooks. Under the law, institutions of higher education are required to provide lists of assigned textbooks for each course during the registration process.

Washington State law requires affiliated college and university bookstores to disclose information on required course materials at least four weeks prior to the start of the class for which the materials are required. Course material information includes title, author(s), edition, price, and ISBN. In addition, once the CTC Link system is implemented, community and technical colleges are required to include information on a bookstore's website the cost of textbooks and required course materials and the use of open educational resources.

Summary of Bill: Community and technical colleges must 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 $50 or less.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill is one more step in the direction of providing more affordable options to students. Textbooks have increased in cost by 200 percent over the last 20 years. This is far and above the rate of inflation. At the time of registration, if the course has lost cost materials available, there will be notification in the catalogue for students. Washington's community and technical college system supports this legislation for our students. This would allow us to notify which courses have low cost materials which will help low-income students. College student governments have supported the $50 threshold. Textbook affordability is a huge barrier for students. Textbook costs may make up as much as one-third of a students educational costs in a year. It is important to give students information about which courses offer no and low-cost materials.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Luanne Van Werven, Prime Sponsor; Boyoung Chae, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Kristina Pogosian, Student Body President, Tacoma Community College; Christopher Soran, Tacoma Community College.