Starting in Fall 2009, students will be able to have a little extra cash in their pockets if House Bill 226 passes.

According to a Feb. 24 Kernel article, House Bill 226 would require textbooks with supplemental materials to be sold separately instead of in a bundle. The bill also allows the entire packages to be sold as used, which is the best way to go when purchasing textbooks.

“It’s a great impact on business,” Carol Behr, general manager of Kennedy Bookstore, said in the article. “This way we can buy back more used books and sell them back to students for a cheaper price.”

If the House Bill passes, it will be beneficial for both parties. Students, who always seem to be strapped for money, will be able to save money and local bookstores will be able to keep their business instead of students trying to take the cheaper route and buy books online.

It also makes sense from a convenience standpoint. Students will only have to buy what is essential for class — no more complaining about bad backs due to heavy backpacks.

According to the Kernel article, David Wade, general manager of Wildcat Textbooks, said the bill would impact business in many ways. There are books right now that contain pieces of software that the companies can only get from the publisher, he said. The more items sold separately, the more convenient it is for the bookstore.

The state Council on Postsecondary Education would make sure the adoption of the books by the professors are turned in on time. The bill allows the council to issue more of a penalty if books are not adopted on time, and it allows students to pick and choose what they need for their classes depending on the professor’s curriculum.

This House Bill needs to pass legislature not just for convenience or the fact students will be able to start saving hundreds of dollars. But because anything the state can do to keep the costs of high education in check needs to be done given the uncertain state of the economy.

Textbooks can easily be one of the most costly aspects of a college education and House Bill 226 may be able to alleviate some of that burden.