84R3839 KJE-D
By: Canales H.B. No. 926
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report regarding the use of open-source
instructional materials at public institutions of higher
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.0666 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.0666. STUDY ON USE OF OPEN-SOURCE INSTRUCTIONAL
MATERIALS. (a) In this section, "open-source instructional
material" means electronic instructional material that is
available for downloading from the Internet at no charge to a
student and without requiring the purchase of an unlock code,
membership, or other access or use charge, except for a charge to
order an optional printed copy of all or part of the instructional
material.
(b) The board shall conduct a study regarding the use of
open-source instructional materials at institutions of higher
education. The study must include:
(1) an analysis of any impact that the use of
open-source instructional materials has on the cost of other
instructional materials;
(2) any difference in the quality of content or effect
on the learning process between open-source instructional
materials and other instructional materials; and
(3) an evaluation of information from other states
that have implemented the use of open-source instructional
materials at similar institutions regarding:
(A) the benefits realized and costs incurred from
the use of those materials; and
(B) best practices for the use of those
materials.
(c) Not later than September 1, 2016, the board shall submit
to each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction
over higher education the results of its study under this section
and recommendations for legislative or other action.
(d) This section expires September 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.