Bill > HR1886

This bill aims to reduce the financial burden of college textbooks by establishing an Open Textbook Grant Program and improving textbook price transparency. The bill recognizes that textbook costs have risen significantly, with the average student spending $1,290 annually on books and supplies, and seeks to promote open educational resources (freely accessible digital learning materials) as a solution. Through competitive grants, the Secretary of Education would fund projects at colleges and universities that develop, adapt, and promote open textbooks, with a focus on creating high-quality, easily accessible materials that can save students money. Grant recipients must develop comprehensive plans for creating, reviewing, and distributing open textbooks, ensuring they are accessible to students with disabilities and can be freely shared under a non-exclusive, royalty-free license. The bill also amends existing higher education law to require institutions to provide more detailed information about textbook costs, including whether materials are open educational resources, their retail prices, and any digital data collection practices. Additionally, the bill requires a Government Accountability Office report examining the implementation of these changes and their impact on textbook costs and educational outcomes. The legislation reflects a congressional belief that institutions should encourage faculty to consider open textbooks while respecting academic freedom in course material selection.

Education

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1886/all-info