The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
BILL: SB 1396
INTRODUCER: Senator Cruz
SUBJECT: Educational Dollars for Duty Program
DATE: January 24, 2022
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Brown Caldwell MS Favorable
2. ATD
3. AP
I. Summary:
Senate Bill 1396 increases program options for current members of the state National Guard to
include an online degree program provided by a public or nonpublic postsecondary institution or
technical center (voc-tech) in the state or another state, subject to accreditation.
The Educational Dollars for Duty program presently caps payment of tuition and fees. Payment
is capped at the highest in-state cost charged for tuition and fees at a public postsecondary
institution or vocational-technical center. If the program is an online degree program, the bill
bases the cap on the highest tuition rate charged by a public postsecondary institution in this state
or another state. The highest tuition rate imposed in another state could be significantly higher
than that charged in Florida.
II. Present Situation:
The Educational Dollars for Duty Program, established in 2009, provides an educational benefit
exclusively for members of the state National Guard. Specifically, the program affords tuition
and fee assistance to qualifying members of the state National Guard who are presently
domiciled in the state.
1
The program provides financial assistance to an eligible member enrolled
in an authorized course of study at an accredited public or private postsecondary institution or
voc-tech center.
2
Preference and priority is given to a person previously deployed on federal
military orders while serving in the National Guard.
3
1
Section 250.10(7), F.S.; ch. 2009-123, Laws of Fla.
2
Id.
3
Section 250.10(8)(a), F.S.; s. 3, ch. 2009-123, Laws of Fla.
REVISED: 02/01/22 BILL: SB 1396 Page 2
Administered by the Department of Military Affairs, funding is subject to legislative
appropriation.
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In Fiscal Year 2021-2022, the Legislature allocated $4,167,900 for the program.
5
The appropriation included limitations on spending, which are:
Applicants seeking undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in science, technology,
engineering, or math are prioritized for funding.
No more than $450,000 of the appropriation may be used to fund tuition for non-STEM
postgraduate degrees.
Funding for a postgraduate degree must be matched at a rate of fifty percent by the applicant.
When appropriated, the department may pay the full cost of tuition and fees for current National
Guard members who take courses at a public postsecondary institution or voc-tech program (s.
250.10(8), F.S.) If, however, the eligible member is enrolled at a private postsecondary
institution or voc-tec program, payment is set at up to the highest in-state tuition and fees at a
public postsecondary education institution or public vocational-technical program.
During the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the program provided educational assistance to 3,123 state
National Guard members. As of January 14, 2022, 2,600 state National Guard members
participate in the program.
6
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
This bill increases program options for current members of the state National Guard to authorize
an online degree program provided by a public or nonpublic postsecondary institution or
technical center in the state or another state, subject to accreditation.
The Educational Dollars for Duty program presently caps payment of tuition and fees. Payment
is capped at the highest in-state cost charged for tuition and fees at a public postsecondary
institution or voc-tech center. If the program is an online degree program, the bill bases the cap
on the highest tuition rate charged by a public postsecondary institution in this state or another
state. The highest tuition rate imposed in another state could be significantly higher than that
charged in Florida.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
4
Section 250.10(7) and (8), F.S.
5
Specific Appropriation 2931, Section 6, General Government, General Appropriations Act.
6
Florida Department of Education, 2022 Agency Legislative Bill Analysis, Senate Bill 1396 (Jan. 13, 2022) (on file with the
Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security). BILL: SB 1396 Page 3
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
This bill would provide more paid options for members of the National Guard who seek
educational assistance.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The Educational Dollars for Duty program presently caps payment of tuition and fees at
the highest in-state cost at a public postsecondary institution or voc-tech program for
tuition and fees. If the program is an online degree program, the bill bases the cap on the
highest tuition rate charged by a public postsecondary institution in this state or another
state. The highest tuition rate imposed in another state could be significantly higher than
that charged in Florida.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends section 250.10 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None. BILL: SB 1396 Page 4
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.