Summary of Bill H 559: Investigation into Consumer Impacts of Electronic Textbooks
Bill Overview
Bill Number: H 559
Title: Resolve providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to the consumer impacts of electronic textbooks
Status: Discharged to the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Introduced: February 27, 2025
Classification: Bill
Purpose and Intent
The primary aim of Bill H 559 is to establish a special commission tasked with investigating the consumer impacts of electronic textbooks. This initiative seeks to evaluate both the benefits and drawbacks of electronic textbooks for students, ensuring that consumer interests are adequately represented and protected in the evolving landscape of educational resources.
Key Provisions
The bill outlines several specific areas for investigation, including:
- Benefits and Advantages: Identifying the positive aspects of electronic textbooks for student consumers.
- Disadvantages: Assessing the negative impacts, including:
- Cost determination methods.
- Limitations on resale, sharing, and renting.
- Consequences of single-user access models on availability.
- Restrictions on physical print production that may limit alternatives for consumers.
- Contractual Implications: Examining how electronic textbook contracts affect consumer choices and access to educational materials.
- Clarity of Contracts: Evaluating whether electronic textbook contracts provide clear and essential information regarding costs and potential savings.
- Institutional Incentives: Investigating how participation quotas and financial arrangements with educational institutions influence consumer awareness and options.
Composition of the Commission
The special commission will consist of various stakeholders, including:
- The commissioner of higher education or a designee (chair).
- Representatives from student advocacy groups, libraries, and the electronic textbook industry.
- Faculty members from public universities and community colleges with experience in electronic textbooks.
- A representative from a financial aid office knowledgeable about college affordability.
- Appointed members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Procedural Aspects
- Appointment Timeline: Commissioners must be appointed within 30 days of the bill's enactment.
- First Meeting: The commission is required to convene its first meeting no later than 45 days after enactment.
- Reporting Requirements: The commission must submit its findings and recommendations, along with any proposed legislation or regulations, within 18 months of enactment.
- Dissolution: The commission will dissolve 30 days after submitting its report unless a two-thirds vote extends its operation.
Impact
This bill is expected to significantly affect students, educational institutions, and the electronic textbook industry by providing a structured analysis of how electronic textbooks influence consumer choices and educational access. The findings could lead to recommendations for policy changes aimed at improving transparency and fairness in the electronic textbook market.
Legislative Actions
- 2025-11-10: Discharged to the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
- 2025-10-29: Hearing scheduled for 11/12/2025.
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the committee on Education; Senate concurred.
Sponsors
The bill is sponsored by Representatives Mindy Domb and Priscila S. Sousa, with additional support from multiple cosponsors, including Vanna Howard, Patrick Joseph Kearney, and others.
This summary provides a comprehensive overview of Bill H 559, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential implications for consumers in the realm of electronic textbooks.
