Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
02/02/2024 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Department of Education and Early Development | |
| SB13 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SB 13-UNIVERSITY: TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS COST
9:17:06 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the final order of business would
be SENATE BILL NO. 13, "An Act relating to costs of and charges
for textbooks and other course materials required for University
of Alaska courses; and providing for an effective date."
9:17:23 AM
SENATOR ROBERT MYERS, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented SB 13. He proceeded with the sponsor
statement [included in the committee packet], which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
For decades a major roadblock to the acquisition of
higher education in this country has been costs.
Students in Alaska and throughout the United States
have often found themselves in difficult situations
attempting to balance the various costs of higher
education such as tuition, room and board, and course
materials. For many students the cost of material can
be a deciding factor in the decision to take a course
due to the sometimes-exorbitant prices of required
course materials. Students often find themselves as
consumers subject to a captive market that has
experienced a colossal growth in price over the last
several decades. The costly and unique nature of the
textbook and course material market has led to many
students being forced to "shop around" and attempt to
engage the market as informed consumers.
The Textbook Cost Transparency Act provides students
with vital information about their textbook and course
materials while they are registering for classes,
allowing them to make informed choices and financially
plan. The goal of this legislation is to provide
students with as much information regarding cost as
early as possible in the registration process with
clearly defined definitions integrated into the
University of Alaska's shared online course catalog
(UAOnline). By allowing students to see which classes
come at "zero-cost" or "low-cost" they will be able to
make more informed financial decisions more easily.
While faculty will remain the paramount deciders of
class materials, we believe that by providing students
with this information we will be building towards a
more equitable and cost-effective University System
for students at the class level.
9:19:44 AM
DAWSON MANN, Staff, Senator Robert Myers, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Senator Myers, prime sponsor, gave the
sectional analysis for SB 13, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Section 1: Page 1, Lines 4-6
This section establishes that this act may be known as
the "Textbook Cost Transparency Act".
Section 2: Page 1, Lines 7-14, Page 2, Lines 1-16
This section outlines the information that the
University of Alaska must provide in the University
systems online course schedule relating to class
materials and automatic fees required for the
materials. This section provides statute definitions
for "course materials", "online course schedule",
"zero-cost resources", and "low-cost resources". This
section also directs that the universities online
course schedule must include search functions to
identify courses with only zero-cost or low-cost
materials required.
Section 3: Page 2, Line 17
This section establishes an effective date for the
bill of July 1st, 2026.
MR. MANN offered his appreciation to the representatives from
the University of Alaska (UA) for building the student
information system modernization project from the ground up and
having this legislation in mind.
9:21:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked how the bill related to
Representative Carrick's bill.
SENATOR MYERS said the bill is word for word what Representative
Carrick introduced on the House side.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT referred to the changes to the online
system and asked whether UA would absorb those costs.
SENATOR MYERS replied that UA is putting in new computer systems
from the ground up, and it would be easier and cheaper to put
something in as it is building the system.
9:23:16 AM
SARA PERMAN, State Relations Manager, Office of Government
Relations, University of Alaska System, stated that UA did not
put a fiscal note forward because in 2022, the legislature
appropriated $20 million for student information systems
upgrades. She added that UA took a previous platform and
extended it through 2023, and recently began implementing the
funding.
9:24:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX opined there is no reason not to pass SB13.
In terms of managing textbook costs, he questioned what would be
accomplished.
MS. PERMAN said SB 13 did not specify decreasing costs; however,
both this bill and another Act from 2008 require cost
transparency.
9:26:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK asked for a ballpark figure on the flat
fee.
MS. PERMAN deferred to [Mr. Shier].
9:27:08 AM
BENJAMIN SHIER, Chief Information Technology Officer, University
of Alaska System, said the number is around $230, which is a
partnership with Barnes and Noble.
9:27:46 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD opened public testimony on SB 13. After
ascertaining no one wished to testify, she closed public
testimony.
9:28:10 AM
SENATOR MYERS noted that in the bill packet there are letters of
support.
9:28:43 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD set an amendment deadline for SB 13.
[SB 13 was held over.]