Bill Text: HI SB208 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 208 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: National Guard; Tuition Assistance; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [SB208 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-SB208-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	208
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TUITION ASSISTANCE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that each state offers some form of tuition assistance to members of the national guard who pursue a college degree. Of the fifty states, approximately half of the states offer up to one hundred per cent tuition assistance at in-state or state-supported colleges or universities. Benefits are subject to available funds and may be suspended when funding runs out.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Expand the existing tuition assistance program to qualified Hawaii national guard members to include students working toward any degree, with priority given to students with certain household income and students working toward their undergraduate degrees; and

(2) Appropriate funds to provide tuition assistance to students who are members of the Hawaii national guard.

SECTION 2. Section 121-45, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The adjutant general, subject to the availability of funds, may award tuition assistance to qualified enlisted persons, warrant officers, and [~~company grade~~] officers [~~(0-1 through 0-3)~~] in the Hawaii national guard who are:

(1) Residents of the State, as defined by the board of regents pursuant to section [[]304A-402[]]; and

(2) [~~Undergraduate students~~] Students working toward a degree on any campus of the University of Hawaii[.]; provided that the following students shall receive priority consideration for the award of available funding for tuition assistance:

(A) Students whose household income is no greater than the most recent Poverty Guidelines for Hawaii as determined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services; and

(B) Students working toward an undergraduate degree."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide tuition assistance to members of the Hawaii national guard who are students working toward a degree on any campus of the University of Hawaii system.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

National Guard; Tuition Assistance; Appropriation

Description:

Broadens the scope of the tuition assistance to Hawaii National Guard members attending any campus of the University of Hawaii and appropriates funds for that purpose. Gives priority consideration to students with household income that does not exceed the Poverty Guidelines of Hawaii and to students working toward an undergraduate degree. Makes appropriation.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.