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To implement President Trump’s Executive Order 14267 on anti-competitive regulations, the Department will engage in negotiated rulemaking to promulgate rules to (1) amend college textbook packaging rules under 34 C.F.R. 668.163(c)(2) to put downward pressure on prices by promoting competition among booksellers; and (2) improve the transferability of college credits. 

Statement of Need:

This rule amends and aligns Department regulations with Executive Order 14267, Reducing Anti-Competitive Regulatory Barriers, issued on April 9, 2025 to amend college textbook packaging rules under 34 C.F.R. 668.163(c)(2) to put downward pressure on prices by promoting competition among booksellers and to improve the transferability of college credits.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

The Department is amending portions of its regulations pursuant to title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, codified at 20 U.S.C. 1070.
Executive Order 14267 mandates federal agencies to identify and rescind regulations that create monopolies, create unnecessary barriers to entry for new market participants, limit competition, or otherwise impose anti-competitive restraints or distortions on the operation of the free market.

Alternatives:

Alternatives will be discussed in the notice of proposed rulemaking and final rule.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits:

Anticipated Costs and Benefits will be discussed in the notice of proposed rulemaking and final rule.

Risks:

Risks will be discussed in the notice of proposed rulemaking and final rule.