California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 798

Introduced by Assembly Member Bonilla

February 26, 2015

An act to add Section 66409.5 to the Education Code, relating to postsecondary education.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 798, as introduced, Bonilla. Postsecondary education: course materials.

The Donahoe Higher Education Act sets forth the missions and functions of the segments of the higher education system in the state. These segments include the University of California, administered by the Regents of the University of California, the California State University, administered by the Trustees of the California State University, and the California Community Colleges, administered by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, and private and independent institutions of higher education.

Provisions of the act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the regents act, by resolution, to make them applicable.

This bill would amend the act to require the board of governors and the trustees, and request the regents and each governing body of an accredited private postsecondary educational institution, to support the development, use, accessibility, and ongoing maintenance of course materials, including open textbooks and other open educational resources, and submit an annual report to the Legislature, on or before July 31, 2017, and on or before each July 31 thereafter, on the implementation, progress, and administration of those efforts at their respective institutions.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 66409.5 is added to the Education Code,
to read:

66409.5.  

(a) The Board of Governors of the California
Community Colleges and the Trustees of the California State
University shall, and the Regents of the University of California
and each governing body of an accredited private postsecondary
educational institution are requested to, support the development,
use, accessibility, and ongoing maintenance of course materials,
including open textbooks and other open educational resources,
that can help students receive the full value of their educational
investment.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code,
the trustees and the board of governors shall, and the regents and
each governing body of an accredited private postsecondary
educational institution are requested to, submit an annual report
to the Legislature, on or before July 31, 2017, and on or before
each July 31 thereafter, on the implementation, progress, and
administration of this section at their respective institutions.

(c) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) shall
be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government
Code.