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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2194 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 559
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Mindy Domb and Priscila S. Sousa
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
resolve:
Resolve providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to the
consumer impacts of electronic textbooks.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Mindy Domb3rd Hampshire1/15/2025Priscila S. Sousa6th Middlesex1/15/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2194 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 559
By Representatives Domb of Amherst and Sousa of Framingham, a petition (accompanied by
resolve, House, No. 559) of Mindy Domb and Priscila S. Sousa for an investigation and study by
a special commission (including members of the General Court) relative to the consumer impacts
of electronic textbooks. Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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Resolve providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to the
consumer impacts of electronic textbooks.
1 Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established to study the consumer impacts
2of electronic textbooks, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) identifying the benefits
3and advantages of electronic textbooks to student consumers, (2) identifying the impact and
4disadvantages of electronic textbooks to student consumers, including methods used to determine
5the cost of, and limit their resale, sharing, and renting; the consequences for consumers of the
6single-user limited access model related to electronic textbook availability, and the prevalence of
7limiting physical print production to limit access to consumer alternatives, (3) identifying the
8ways in which electronic textbook contracts affect and limit consumer choice in accessing
9educational materials, (4) evaluating the clarity of electronic textbook contracts in providing
10essential factual consumer information around actual costs and savings, and (5) evaluating the
11impacts of participation quotas and institutional incentives, reimbursements, and other methods
12used in electronic textbook contracts with institutions of higher education on the availability and
13awareness of options for student consumers and on the finances of the institution. 2 of 3
14 Resolved, the special commission shall consist of: 1 person shall be the commissioner of
15higher education or a designee with expertise on electronic and open educational resources, who
16will act as chair of the commission; 1 of whom shall be a representative of a student advocacy
17group, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a library who has experience with and knowledge
18of electronic textbooks or open educational resources from a Massachusetts public university, 1
19of whom shall be a representative of a library who has experience with and knowledge of
20electronic textbooks or open educational resources from a Massachusetts community college, 1
21of whom shall be a representative of a library who has experience with and knowledge of
22electronic textbooks or open educational resources from a Massachusetts state university, 1 of
23whom shall be a faculty member from a Massachusetts public university who has educator
24experience with using electronic textbooks or open educational resources, 1 of whom shall be a
25faculty member from a Massachusetts community college who has educator experience with
26using electronic textbooks or open educational resources, 1 of whom shall be a faculty member
27from a Massachusetts state university who has educator experience with using electronic
28textbooks or open educational resources, 1 of whom shall be a representative from the electronic
29textbook industry, 1 of whom shall be a representative from a higher education-based financial
30aid office or basic needs office who is knowledgeable on college affordability and student
31financial challenges, 1 of whom shall be a member of the House of Representatives appointed by
32the speaker of the House, and 1 of whom shall be a member of the Senate appointed by the
33Senate President.
34 Said commission will ensure that its meetings shall be open to the public, notes will be
35taken and made available. The appointment of the commissioners shall occur within 30 days
36after the effective date of this resolve. The commission shall convene its first meeting no later 3 of 3
37than 45 days after the bill’s enactment. The commission shall meet as often as needed to
38complete its report.
39 Said commission shall report to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the
40chairs of the joint committee on consumer protection and professional licensure, and the chairs
41of the joint committee on higher education the results of its investigation and its
42recommendations, together with drafts of proposed legislation or regulations necessary to carry
43its recommendations into effect within 18 months of enactment.
44 The special commission shall dissolve 30 days after the submission of the report, unless
45upon a two-thirds vote of the Commission, a continuance is deemed necessary to complete the
46purpose of the Commission. The time frame of said continuance must be specified in the motion
47to extend time of operation.