BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  SB 48
                                                                  Page  1


          SENATE THIRD READING
          SB 48 (Alquist)
          As Amended  June 24, 2009
          Majority vote 

           SENATE VOTE  :32-5  
           
           HIGHER EDUCATION    9-0                                         
           
           -------------------------------- 
          |Ayes:|Portantino, Conway,       |
          |     |Block, Cook, Fong,        |
          |     |Galgiani, Huber, Ma,      |
          |     |Ruskin                    |
          |     |                          |
           -------------------------------- 
           SUMMARY  :  Requires publishers that offer textbooks for sale at  
          California postsecondary education institutions, to the extent  
          practicable, to make those textbooks, in whole or in part,  
          available for sale in an electronic format by January 1, 2020.

           EXISTING LAW  requires publishers and producers of instructional  
          materials for students attending the University of California,  
          the California State University, or the California Community  
          Colleges to provide the material, at no cost, in an electronic  
          format for use by disabled students. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  None

           COMMENTS  :  In 2007, the California State Auditor (Auditor)  
          released a report entitled "Affordability of College Textbooks:   
          Textbook Prices Have Risen Significantly in the Last Four Years,  
          but Some Strategies May Help to Control These Costs for  
          Students."  The Auditor's findings were consistent with numerous  
          other reports showing that increases in textbook prices have  
          significantly outpaced median household incomes, making it more  
          likely that students will forgo or delay attending college  
          because of the financial burden.  The author believes that by  
          requiring the availability of electronic textbooks by January 1,  
          2020, this bill will reduce educational costs for students and  
          ensure that college graduates have the technological experience  
          and knowledge that the 21st century workplace requires.










                                                                  SB 48
                                                                  Page  2


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Laura Metune / HIGHER ED. / (916)  
          319-3960 


                                                               FN:  0001823