HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1701
As Reported by House Committee On:
College & Workforce Development
Title: An act relating to notifying students of courses with low-cost instructional materials and open educational resources at the four-year institutions of higher education.
Brief Description: Notifying students of courses with low-cost instructional materials and open educational resources at the four-year institutions of higher education.
Sponsors: Representatives Van Werven, Leavitt, Sutherland, Entenman, Rude, Kraft, Gildon, Young, Jinkins, Bergquist, Doglio and Fey.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
College & Workforce Development: 2/5/19, 2/8/19 [DPS].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
  • Requires the universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College to designate whether course materials are "low-cost" in their online course descriptions.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COLLEGE & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Hansen, Chair; Entenman, Vice Chair; Leavitt, Vice Chair; Van Werven, Ranking Minority Member; Gildon, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Graham, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Kraft, Paul, Pollet, Ramos, Rude, Sells, Slatter, Sutherland and Young.
Staff: Kellen Wright (786-7134)
Background: Affiliated Bookstores.
Bookstores affiliated with public higher education institutes have certain requirements relating to the sale of course materials, such as textbooks and access codes to homework websites. Affiliated bookstores must sell unbundled books, disclose the cost of materials to faculty and staff, disclose how new editions vary from previous editions, and promote book buy-back programs. Finally, with some exceptions, students must be provided with information on required course materials including title, authors, edition, price, and the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) four weeks before the start of the class. Faculty and staff take into account cost when assigning course materials such as adopting the least expensive edition, free or open textbooks when available, or working with librarians to use free online and library resources.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute): The state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College must designate in their online course descriptions which students use to register, whether a course uses the OER or low-cost required instructional materials. A course uses low-cost instructional materials if the entire cost of the required materials equals $50 or less. Universities may designate whether the course uses low-cost materials or OER at a later date than registration if, at the time of registration, the faculty member has not yet been assigned to the course
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill The substitute bill modifies the time at which universities must designate whether the required course materials are low-cost or use the OER if the faculty member has not yet been assigned at the time of registration.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 11/25/2019.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (In support) Many students in Washington's public institutions are from low-income families. By designating whether the course uses the OER or low-cost instructional materials, it empowers students to seek out classes that meet their educational needs. (Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Luanne Van Werven, Prime Sponsor; Jeremy Mohn, The Evergreen State College.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.