Texas House Bill HB5515

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/14/25

Caption

Relating to restrictions on freight and shipping costs included in the price of instructional materials for public schools.

Impact

This legislation is expected to bring significant changes to the procurement of instructional materials within Texas public schools. By introducing stricter controls on how costs can be attributed to shipping, the bill could lead to reduced overall expenses for school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. If the bill reduces financial burdens, it could positively influence the budget allocations for educational materials and improve access to necessary learning resources. The bill is scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2025, which gives stakeholders time to adapt to these new regulations.

Summary

House Bill 5515 addresses the pricing regulations concerning freight and shipping costs related to instructional materials provided to public schools in Texas. The bill mandates that publishers or manufacturers may not include excessive freight or shipping charges in the prices of these materials. Specifically, it requires that any freight and shipping cost included must not exceed the actual cost of delivery and should not incorporate handling fees that are not directly tied to the logistics of shipping. This adjustment aims to uphold fairness in pricing for educational resources provided to schools by eliminating any potential for inflated costs attributable to shipping practices.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB 5515 may raise points of contention, particularly from industry stakeholders such as publishers and manufacturers who could argue that these restrictions on pricing might limit their flexibility to cover operational costs. There may also be concerns regarding compliance and how strictly the restrictions will be enforced. Opponents of the bill might argue that while the intent is to support schools financially, such restrictions could unintentionally lead to decreased availability of quality instructional materials if publishers decide to adjust their business models in response to these requirements.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

• Chapter 31. Instructional Materials And Technology
  • Section: New Section