86R4713 KJE-F
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 1536
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorizing a public institution of higher education to
include certain textbook costs in the institution's charge for
tuition or required fees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.019 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.019. INCLUSION OF CERTAIN TEXTBOOK COSTS IN TUITION
OR FEES CHARGE. (a) The governing board of an institution of
higher education may establish in accordance with this section a
textbook affordability program under which the institution may
include the cost of any textbooks or other materials required for a
course in the tuition or required fees charged by the institution
for the course. The institution may establish the program only if,
in accordance with 34 C.F.R. Section 668.164(c)(2), the
institution:
(1) enters into an agreement with a book publisher or
other entity to make those textbooks or materials available to
students at below competitive market rates;
(2) provides students a means of obtaining those
textbooks or materials not later than the seventh day of the
semester or other term in which the textbooks or materials are
required; and
(3) adopts a policy under which a student may opt out
of having the cost of those textbooks or materials included in the
tuition or required fees charged to the student.
(b) The cost of textbooks or other materials included in an
institution of higher education's charge for tuition or required
fees under Subsection (a) is not subject to a limitation placed on
the amount of a fee under this chapter or any other provision of
this code.
(c) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt
rules for the administration of a textbook affordability program
established under this section.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies
beginning with the 2019 fall semester.
SECTION 3. 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, 2019.