Students found friends in Washington this week when the Senate passed initiatives to cut the costs of higher education.

The Senate unanimously passed a supplementary bill SHB 2300 that will force textbook publishers to disclose pricing and related information to purchasers.  The House had initially passed the bill with an overwhelming majority of 93-4 on March 12 this year.  

The bill makes it mandatory for college textbook publishers to inform textbook selectors about the actual costs students will have to pay for the products.  While marketing, publishers will also need to disclose the history of revisions for their products.  

Since faculty members select the books that students must purchase, this bill can reduce textbook costs by increasing the transparency in textbook selection.

A survey report published this February by MASSPIRG, a non-profit organization with a national network, showed that the average college student spent $900 per year on textbooks.  This expense is almost 20 percent of what an average student spends on tuitions and fees in a four-year public institution!  

The same survey found that the cost of college textbooks has escalated at four times the rate of inflation.  Furthermore, while only 63 percent of the 287 professors surveyed were aware of the price of the books, at least 94 percent wanted to recommend cheaper options, if available.

This bill supplements a 2006 legislation passed by the Washington state legislature, which requires authorities to provide comprehensive rules for such bookstores by coordinating with students, faculty representatives, and affiliated bookstores.  The previous legislation also forces publishers to create transparent product prices for purchasers.

With the passing of SHB 2300, Washington became the second state in the nation to mandate textbook price disclosure in higher education institutions.  Last year, Connecticut passed a similar law to help its students.  SHB 2300 will come into effect on June 12.