Bill

SB 810

85(R) - 2017
Senate Higher Education
House Public Education
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
Senate Higher Education
House Public Education

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Lois Kolkhorst

Co-Author(s)

Larry Taylor
Royce West

Sponsor(s)

Donna Howard

Bill Caption

Relating to the use of open educational resources.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB 810, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($300,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019. The agency is not required to implement the legislation in the absence of an appropriation. 

Bill Analysis

This bill seeks to implement incentives for faculty at universities to use more open educational sources. The bill would require notice to be given to a student if an open education source is required or recommended for a particular class. It would also establish a grant program that would help fund courses that use open source textbooks and literature.

Vote Recommendation Notes

The monopoly on access to textbooks and course information must end in order to have a free market in education, and this bill is a start in achieving that goal. However, achieving this does not need more appropriations to start more grant programs and spend more tax payer dollars. If the grant provision were removed, we would adjust our position from neutral to active support.