WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 4354

Relates to reducing the cost of textbooks for students of institutions of higher education

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Burroughs and 1 co-sponsor

A4354 seeks to cut NY college textbook costs by encouraging affordable materials (including OER) and cost reporting to help students save money.

REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4354

Summary: Assembly Bill A 4354

Overview

Bill A 4354 is a New York State Assembly bill introduced on February 4, 2025, and currently referred to the Higher Education committee. The bill’s title indicates its goal is to reduce the cost of textbooks for students at institutions of higher education. The legislative text is not provided here, so the summary below outlines the bill’s stated purpose and the kinds of provisions typically associated with this policy area, as well as who would be affected.

Purpose and Intent

  • Clearly stated objective: to reduce the cost of textbooks for students enrolled in institutions of higher education.
  • By focusing on affordability, the bill seeks to lessen the financial burden of required instructional materials on students pursuing higher education.

Potential Provisions (Common for This Policy Area)

The exact text of A 4354 is not provided, but bills with this focus typically explore one or more of the following approaches:
- Encouraging or mandating adoption of open educational resources (OER) and other low-cost or no-cost course materials by higher education institutions.
- Requiring institutions to develop and publish a cost-report or annual affordability plan for textbooks and course materials.
- Providing funding or incentives for libraries, faculty, and departments to identify and implement affordable materials.
- Creating or expanding pilot programs to provide affordable digital textbooks, inclusive access models, or textbook rental options.
- Establishing guidelines for faculty to consider cost in the process of selecting course materials.
- Providing consumer protections or pricing transparency from publishers and campus bookstores.

Note: These are typical mechanisms used in similar legislation and may or may not appear in the final text of A 4354.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Students at state-supported or covered institutions of higher education, who would experience reduced out-of-pocket costs for textbooks and course materials.
  • Institutions and staff: Colleges and universities, along with faculty, librarians, and administrators, who would implement affordability strategies or adopt low-cost materials.
  • Publishers and vendors: Textbook publishers and campus bookstores could be affected by price controls, mandated adoption of certain formats (e.g., OER or affordable options), or transparency requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Referred to Higher Education by the Assembly on February 4, 2025.
  • Next steps (typical): If advanced, the bill would undergo committee review, potential amendments, and floor consideration in the Assembly. If approved, it could move to the Senate for consideration and potential enactment into law.

Related Legislation

  • A 10014 (prior-session)
  • A 5914 (prior-session)
  • A 2663 (prior-session)
  • A 4340 (prior-session)

These related bills suggest ongoing legislative interest in textbook affordability and may share similar objectives or approaches.

This summary presents the essential information available for A 4354. The exact provisions and impact will become clearer upon release of the bill text and committee analyses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.