Amends TCA Title 49.

This bill requires the office of research and education accountability (OREA) in the office of the comptroller of the treasury to study the costs associated with attending public institutions of higher education in this state and issue a report to the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives by February 1, 2020, which report must include:<br /> <br /> (1) The average cost of attending an undergraduate program at each public institution of higher education for the 2018-2019 academic year;<br /> (2) The average cost of attending an undergraduate program at each public institution of higher education for the 2008-2009 academic year;<br /> (3) A detailed explanation of the reasons for a cost difference between the average cost of attendance for the 2018-2019 academic year and the average cost of attendance for the 2008-2009 academic year;<br /> (4) The average cost of a textbook for one undergraduate course at a public institution of higher education;<br /> (5) The average amount spent by an undergraduate student for textbooks each semester and how these amounts vary from program to program and year to year; <br /> (6) The average amount spent by an undergraduate student for textbooks required to obtain an undergraduate degree; and<br /> (7) A detailed explanation of how costs of attendance, including the cost of textbooks, have changed over the past 10 years.<br /> <br />