(a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Open educational resource” means a college level resource made available on an Internet web site to be used by students, faculty and members of the public on an unlimited basis at a cost lower than the market value of the printed textbook or other educational resource, including full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, streaming videos, tests, software and other similar teaching, learning and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under a creative commons attribution license that permits the free use and repurposing of such resources;

(2) “Creative commons attribution license” means a copyright crediting the author of a digital work product that allows for the free use and distribution of such work product; and

(3) “High-impact course” means a course of instruction for which open educational resources would make a significant positive financial impact on the students taking the course due to the number of students taking the course or the market value of the printed textbook or other educational resources required for such course.

(b) There is established the Connecticut Open Educational Resource Coordinating Council, which shall be part of the Executive Department. The executive director of the Office of Higher Education shall appoint the members of the council which shall consist of the following: (1) A state-wide coordinator, who shall collaborate with all institutions of higher education to promote open educational resources and administer grants; (2) one faculty member, one administrator and one staff member from The University of Connecticut; (3) one faculty member, one administrator and one staff member from the regional community-technical college system; (4) one faculty member, one administrator and one staff member from Charter Oak State College; (5) one faculty member, one administrator and one staff member from the Connecticut State University System; (6) one faculty member, one administrator and one staff member from the independent institutions of higher education; and (7) one student from any public or independent institution of higher education in the state. All initial appointments to the council shall be made not later than September 1, 2019, and shall expire on August 30, 2022, regardless of when the initial appointment was made. Any member of the council may serve more than one term.

(c) The state-wide coordinator appointed by the executive director of the Office of Higher Education shall serve as the chairperson of the council. The chairperson shall schedule the first meeting of the council, which shall be held not later than October 1, 2019. The administrative staff of the Office of Higher Education shall serve as administrative staff of the council.

(d) Appointed members of the council shall serve for three-year terms which shall commence on the date of appointment, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section. Members shall continue to serve until their successors are appointed. Any vacancy shall be filled by the executive director of the Office of Higher Education. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term. A majority of the council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. The members of the council shall serve without compensation, but shall, within the limits of available funds, be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.

(e) The council shall perform the following functions:

(1) Identify high-impact courses for which open educational resources will be developed, converted or adopted;

(2) Establish a program of competitive grants for faculty members of institutions of higher education in the state for the development, conversion or adoption of open educational resources for high-impact courses with any funds identified by the council and within available appropriations;

(3) Accept, review and approve competitive grant applications, provided any faculty member who is approved for a competitive grant shall license such open educational resources through a creative commons attribution license;

(4) Administer a standardized review and approval process for the development, conversion or adoption of open educational resources; and

(5) Promote strategies for the production, use and access of open educational resources.

(f) The council shall meet quarterly, or as often as deemed necessary by a majority of the council.

(g) Not later than February 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the council shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of § 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education regarding (1) the number and percentage of high-impact courses for which open educational resources have been developed, (2) the degree to which institutions of higher education promote the use and access to open educational resources, (3) the amount of grants awarded by the council and the number of open educational resources developed by grant recipients, and (4) its recommendations for any amendments to the general statutes necessary to develop open educational resources.