ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature First Regular Session

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HB 2420: law enforcement; families; tuition scholarships

Sponsor: Representative Gress, LD 4

Committee on Military Affairs & Public Safety

Overview

Establishes the Spouses and Dependents of Law Enforcement Officers Tuition Scholarship Fund (Fund) and appropriates $10,000,000 from the State General Fund (GF) to the Fund.

History

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-1808, the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) and community college districts are required to grant tuition waivers to the children and spouses of peace officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency paramedics, national guardsmen and qualifying United States armed forces personnel who were killed in the line of duty or who died from injuries suffered in the line of duty while traveling to or from duty.

Provisions

1. Establishes the Fund, to be administered by ABOR. (Sec. 1)

2. Appropriates $10,000,000 from the GF to the Fund in FY 2024. (Sec. 2)

3. States that Fund monies are subject to legislative appropriation and exempt from lapsing. (Sec. 1)

4. Instructs ABOR to distribute Fund monies as scholarships to the spouses or dependents of Arizona law enforcement officers who enroll in a:

a) university under the jurisdiction of ABOR (public university);

b) community college;

c) career technical education district program (CTED); or

d) private postsecondary institution in Arizona (private university). (Sec. 1)

5. Specifies, for a student enrolled in a public university, community college or CTED, the scholarship amount as equal to tuition and mandatory fees less any other gifts or aid received. (Sec. 1)

6. Stipulates, for a student enrolled in a private university, that the scholarship amount may not exceed the remainder of the average in-state tuition and fees charged by state universities minus other gifts and aid awarded to that person. (Sec. 1)

7. Directs ABOR to verify that scholarship applicants meet the specified qualifications. (Sec. 1)

8. Outlines that the scholarship:

a) is available for no more than four academic years or eight semesters per person;

b) may only be used for a baccalaureate degree, associate degree, CTED certificate, CTED license or private vocational program; and

c) may only be used to pay tuition and mandatory fees at a public university, community college, CTED or private university. (Sec. 1)

9. Asserts that scholarships are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis. (Sec. 1)

10. Defines law enforcement officer. (Sec. 1)

11. Contains an intent clause. (Sec. 2)

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                        HB 2420

Initials NM       Page 0 Military Affairs & Public Safety

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