Section 20-2009-F - College Textbook Policies Advisory Committee(a) Establishment.--A standing committee of the State Board of Education to be known as the College Textbook Policies Advisory Committee is established. The Department of Education shall provide staff support for the advisory committee.(b) Membership.--The advisory committee shall be comprised of: (1) The Deputy Secretary for Higher Education of the Department of Education or a designee.(2) The chairman of the State Board of Education Higher Education Council or a designee.(3) One faculty member representing the State System of Higher Education as recommended by the Chancellor of the State System of Higher Education.(4) One faculty member representing each of the State-related institutions as recommended by the chancellors of the State-related institutions.(5) One faculty member representing community colleges as recommended by the Commission for Community Colleges.(6) One faculty member representing private and independent colleges and universities as recommended by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania.(7) The chairman and minority chairman of the Education Committee of the Senate and the chairman and minority chairman of the House of Representatives or their designees.(8) Nine members appointed by the chairman of the State Board of Education as follows:(i) Three members representing college bookstores with one representing campus bookstores, one representing off-campus bookstores and one representing online bookstores that focus primarily on the sale of college textbooks.(ii) Two members representing textbook publishers.(iii) Four student members representing college students, of whom one must attend a State System of Higher Education institution, one must attend a State-related institution, one must attend a community college and one must attend an independent or private college or university within this Commonwealth. The student members shall be appointed, respectively, by the chairman from a list of students recommended by the Chancellor of the State System of Higher Education, the chancellors of the State-related institutions, the Commission for Community Colleges or the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania.(9) One member possessing a background in information technology-electronic media appointed by the chairman of the State Board of Education.(c) Recommendations.--The advisory committee shall examine national and international efforts relating to college textbook affordability and accessibility and make recommendations that: (1) Ensure that students have access to affordable course materials by decreasing costs to students and enhancing transparency and disclosure with respect to the selection, purchase, sale and use of course materials.(2) Identify ways to decrease the cost of college textbooks and supplemental materials for students while supporting the academic freedom of faculty members to select high quality course materials for students.(3) Encourage college textbook publishers and distributors to work with faculty to promote understanding of the cost to students of purchasing faculty-selected college textbooks, including the disclosure of prices and bundling practices.(4) Encourage innovation in the development and use of course materials, including open-source college textbooks and other open-source educational resources, that can help students receive the full value of their educational investment without excessive cost.(5) Ensure that faculty members are informed of accurate and relevant pricing information for course materials and that students are protected as a consumer group.(6) Make recommendations to the General Assembly and the State Board of Education to strengthen existing State laws and regulations and to propose any additional and necessary State laws and regulations.(d) First meeting.--The advisory committee shall hold its first meeting within 60 days of the effective date of this section. The advisory committee shall meet at least once quarterly. Members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation. The deputy secretary for Higher Education of the Department of Education shall serve as committee chair.(e) Report.--No later than 18 months after the effective date of this section, the advisory committee shall make a report to the State Board of Education that outlines its findings and recommendations. The report shall also be delivered to the Governor's Office, members of the Education Committee of the Senate and members of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives. The report shall be updated every three years and may also be posted on the Department of Education's Internet website.1949, March 10, P.L. 30, No. 14, art. XX-F, § 2009-F, added 2010, Nov. 17, P.L. 996, No. 104, § 21, imd. effective.