While many college students returned from their campus bookstore carrying boxes of required textbooks and considerably lighter wallets, State Rep. Steven Walsh (D-Lynn) introduced a bill to the Massachusetts Legislature aimed at saving students money on these biannual trips.

The proposed bill would prohibit publishers from creating new editions of textbooks every year if they cannot prove significant changes have been made to the material – a practice that effectively prevents students from being able to sell books back to the bookstore for cash because their editions quickly become outdated. The bill would also prevent publishers from selling “bundles,” books packaged with supplementary material like CDs, DVDs and practice books for a considerably higher price.

The bill, proposed Jan. 18, has been debated in the Massachusetts Legislature in previous sessions before but was never signed into law. Although lawmakers will not vote on the bill for at least a few months, Walsh said it is important to begin dialogue early on the issue.

“We want to open up discussions,” he said. “Will it make a huge immediate change? No, but it will get people thinking.”

Jade Roth, vice president for books at Barnes ‘ Noble college booksellers, said though the bookstore usually receives blame for creating high prices and little buyback compensation, the store itself is not to blame.

“I think people have always been unhappy with textbook prices, but I also think a lot of people don’t necessarily understand how it works,” she said.

Barnes ‘ Noble, which operates nearly 600 campus bookstores across the nation, goes by “very fixed” pricing, she said, and in-store prices are dictated by contracts with individual universities.

Roth said several states where Barnes ‘ Noble operates stores are either considering or have already passed laws designed to “offset the price” of textbooks.

Roth said the average profit margin on a textbook is about 25 percent, which pales in comparison to the 50 percent margin she estimated clothing makers turn on items like T-shirts.

“It’s a relatively low-margin business,” she said.

The store’s decision to buy back used books from students ultimately depends on whether or not professors have indicated they will use the same books again the following semester, she said, adding that faculty are not always aware of the implications that come from waiting too long to order textbooks.

“The minute we know that a book is being reused on the campus, the bookstore is willing to buy it back for up to 50 percent of the resale price,” she said.

Roth said many students, if they look hard, can find better prices online, at other on-campus retailers or by swapping amongst themselves.

“Like any other consumer in today’s world, the student wants choice and is always going to look,” she said, adding it is “just human nature” to try to find a better deal.

Brian Jacobs, president and founder of Akademos Inc. and bookseller Textbookx.com — one of many websites selling textbooks to students at lower prices than on-campus bookstores — said students often have limited options in selling their books at the end of the semester, especially if they bought custom books designed specifically for certain courses, which have limited resale value. Students often “come out behind” after the course is over, he said.

CAS freshman Emma Chu said she only buys textbooks at Barnes ‘ Noble at Boston University as a last resort to avoid the bundles and constantly updated new editions the proposed legislation aims to prohibit.

“I try Amazon.com and Halfprice.com first,” she said, “or I buy from friends who have previously taken the course.”

School of Management sophomore Larry Byrne said he also buys sparingly from the on-campus bookstore, opting to purchase from Amazon.com and go to the SMG copy center to order his textbooks.

Although he said a book he ordered from Amazon.com is already a week late, he is willing to accept the delay if it means saving money.

Many university professors have taken steps to help students cope with rising textbook prices without making them purchase the course materials.

BU psychology professor Doe West said she always keeps extra course textbooks on reserve in the library in case high textbook prices prohibit her students from purchasing the book.

“I would love to see a consumer movement that came to some good discussions and options with the book companies, students and professors,” she said.