Legislation to Bring More Cost Transparency for College Students Passes State Legislature, on Governor Newsom’s Desk for Signature
SACRAMENTO, CA, September 13, 2023 - This week, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 607 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), and Sabrina Cervantes (D-Inland Empire), which aims to increase transparency of course-related costs on online course schedules.
The legislation passed 80-0 in the Assembly and 38-0 in the State Senate. It is now awaiting Governor Newsom’s signature to be signed into law.
Assembly Bill 607 will help students plan and budget for college by providing clear and comprehensive information about the cost of textbooks, clickers, and online homework codes, among other expenses, for each course.
“With today’s passage, AB 607 will provide a chance to close an ever increasing gap in price transparency for students at our public universities,” said Assemblymember Kalra. “Course materials make up a significant portion of the cost for secondary education and unlike fees and tuition, the cost of course materials are not fixed, making it challenging for students to plan ahead. AB 607 will empower students to make informed decisions for course registration in a manner that works best for them financially. ”
Specifically, AB 607 will require California colleges and universities to provide students with a list of required materials – including textbooks, clickers, and online homework access codes, among others – and their estimated prices on online course schedules. The list will be made available through the institution's online course schedule. AB 607 builds on existing state and federal legislation that requires colleges and universities to provide information regarding textbook costs and International Standard Book Number (ISBN) on online course schedules.
"We owe it to students to provide a clear picture of what their costs will be so they can budget and plan for the year and AB607 gives students that critical information,” said Gary K. Michelson, M.D., founder and co-chair of the Michelson Center for Public Policy and the Michelson 20MM Foundation. “We are profoundly grateful for the leadership of Assemblymembers Kalra, Bryan, and Cervantes for putting students first by advocating for price transparency, and we applaud the California State Legislature for passing this important bill.”
California college students spend an average of $938 per academic year on textbooks and course-related materials, according to the California Student Aid Commission’s 2021-2022 Student Expenses and Resources Survey. These costs can be a significant financial burden for students, many of whom already struggle to cover tuition and living expenses. AB 607 will help students more accurately plan their course-related budgets by providing them with a clear understanding of all costs associated with each course on online course schedules.
“For student parents it's vital to plan your budget, not only for ourselves but for our children. We have bills we have to plan for,” said Krystle Pale, UC Santa Cruz transfer student from American River College. “As a community college student, having that information lets us know what classes we can take without delaying buying the book.”
“FACCC strongly supports AB 607 because increased transparency around textbook costs is a win for students,” said Wendy Brill-Wynkoop, President of the Faculty Association of the California Community Colleges and faculty member at College of the Canyons. “This legislation will empower students to make informed financial decisions as they plan their educational goals. Promoting access and equity is central to our students reaching those goals, and AB 607 moves us meaningfully in the right direction.”
AB 607 is sponsored by the Michelson Center for Public Policy and supported by faculty, students, and institutions across the state.
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