Senate Approves College Textbook Affordability Legislation

HARRISBURG – The Senate approved legislation today that would make college textbooks more affordable and accessible to students, according to State Senator David G. Argall (R-29).

Senate Bill 929 would require publishers to provide information on textbook costs, previous editions, revisions in current editions and alternative textbook formats and prices to college faculty members. The faculty would be required to consider using textbooks for a longer period of time to reduce costs and to provide students with information on the cost of textbooks.

The legislation also requires faculty members and universities to provide the most cost-efficient options for textbook assignments and consider textbook rental programs, book buy-back programs and other measures to reduce costs to students.

“Throughout my 13 years of evening grad school classes at Penn State, and now as a parent of two college students, I understand the effects of textbook costs on students and their families,” Argall said. “This legislation would allow college students to take advantage of the most affordable textbook options to reduce the overall cost of higher education.”

Argall, a member of the Senate Education Committee, earned his Ph.D. in public administration from Penn State in 2006 and periodically serves as an instructor of public policy and leadership studies one night each week at Penn State – Harrisburg.

Senate Bill 929 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.