Digital content bill one step from governor’s desk
By Tom Chorneau
Friday, July 26, 2013
A two-year effort to pass legislation requiring textbook publishers to make available digital versions of their content appears to be one step from the governor’s desk.
AB 133 by Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills, would mandate digital formats be made by any publisher or instructional materials manufacturer that submits a printed textbook for adoption by the California State Board of Education or governing board of a local school district.
Supported by an array of key education groups including the Association of California School Administrators, the bill has also picked up the backing of the Association of American Publishers as well as groups representing students with disabilities, including the California Council for the Blind.
The bill passed off the Assembly floor in May without dissent and won passage from the state Senate – also without opposition – just before the Legislature broke for summer recess earlier this month.
Amendments made in the Senate, however, require that the bill return once more to the Assembly – but expectations
