KS
Kansas House Bill HB2185

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2185 Compare Versions

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1+Session of 2025
12 HOUSE BILL No. 2185
2-AN ACT concerning education; relating to the national guard; permitting guard members
3-to transfer unused tuition assistance benefits from the Kansas national guard
4-educational assistance act to an eligible dependent; including doctoral and
5-professional degrees in the Kansas national guard educational master's for enhanced
6-readiness and global excellence (EMERGE) program; amending K.S.A. 74-32,145,
7-74-32,146, 74-32,147 and 74-32,148 and K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 74-32,149, 74-32,305,
8-74-32,306, 74-32,308 and 74-32,309 and repealing the existing sections.
3+By Committee on Education
4+Requested by Lt. Col. Keith Marshall on behalf of the Adjutant General's Office
5+1-31
6+AN ACT concerning education; relating to the national guard; permitting
7+guard members to transfer unused tuition assistance benefits from the
8+Kansas national guard educational assistance act to an eligible
9+dependent; including doctoral and professional degrees in the Kansas
10+national guard educational master's for enhanced readiness and global
11+excellence (EMERGE) program; amending K.S.A. 74-32,145, 74-
12+32,146, 74-32,147 and 74-32,148 and K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 74-32,149,
13+74-32,305, 74-32,306, 74-32,308 and 74-32,309 and repealing the
14+existing sections.
915 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
1016 Section 1. K.S.A. 74-32,145 is hereby amended to read as follows:
11-74-32,145. K.S.A. 74-32,145 through 74-32,149, and amendments
12-thereto, shall be known and may be cited as the Kansas national guard
13-educational assistance act. It is the purpose of the Kansas national
14-guard educational assistance act to establish an educational assistance
15-program under which payment of the tuition and fees charged to
16-eligible members of the Kansas national guard or an eligible dependent
17-of such guard members for enrollment at Kansas educational
18-institutions shall be provided for by the state.
19-Sec. 2. K.S.A. 74-32,146 is hereby amended to read as follows:
20-74-32,146. As used in the Kansas national guard educational assistance
21-act:
22-(a) "Kansas educational institution" means and includes
23-community colleges, the municipal university, state educational
24-institutions, technical colleges, the institute of technology at Washburn
25-university and accredited independent institutions any not-for-profit
26-independent institution of higher education that is accredited by an
27-institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States
28-department of education, is operated independently and not controlled
29-or administered by the state or any agency or subdivision thereof,
30-maintains open enrollment, offers online education and offers,
31-exclusively, competency-based education programs.
17+74-32,145. K.S.A. 74-32,145 through 74-32,149, and amendments thereto,
18+shall be known and may be cited as the Kansas national guard educational
19+assistance act. It is the purpose of the Kansas national guard educational
20+assistance act to establish an educational assistance program under which
21+payment of the tuition and fees charged to eligible members of the Kansas
22+national guard or an eligible dependent of such guard members for
23+enrollment at Kansas educational institutions shall be provided for by the
24+state.
25+Sec. 2. K.S.A. 74-32,146 is hereby amended to read as follows: 74-
26+32,146. As used in the Kansas national guard educational assistance act:
27+(a) "Kansas educational institution" means and includes community
28+colleges, the municipal university, state educational institutions, technical
29+colleges, the institute of technology at Washburn university and accredited
30+independent institutions.
3231 (b) "Eligible guard member" means any current member of the
33-Kansas national guard who is enrolled at a Kansas educational
34-institution and who is not under a suspension of favorable action flag or
35-currently on the unit unfavorable information file. The term eligible
36-guard member does not include within its meaning any member of the
37-Kansas national guard who is the holder of a baccalaureate or higher
38-academic degree, or who does not hold a high school diploma or
39-general educational development (GED) credentials.
32+Kansas national guard who is enrolled at a Kansas educational institution
33+and who is not under a suspension of favorable action flag or currently on
34+the unit unfavorable information file. The term eligible guard member
35+does not include within its meaning any member of the Kansas national
36+guard who is the holder of a baccalaureate or higher academic degree, or
37+who does not hold a high school diploma or general educational
38+development (GED) credentials.
4039 (c) "Kansas national guard educational assistance program" or
41-"program" means the program established pursuant to the provisions of
42-the Kansas national guard educational assistance act.
43-(d) "Educational program" means a program which that is offered
44-and maintained by a Kansas educational institution and leads to the
45-award of a certificate, diploma or degree upon satisfactory completion
46-of course work requirements.
47-(e) "Dependent" means an individual who is registered as an
48-eligible dependent of the sponsoring eligible guard member in the
49-defense enrollment eligibility reporting system (DEERS).
50-Sec. 3. K.S.A. 74-32,147 is hereby amended to read as follows:
51-74-32,147. The state board of regents shall may adopt rules and
52-regulations for the administration of the Kansas national guard
53-educational assistance act and shall:
54-(a) Establish a mechanism to ensure distribution of funds for
55-tuition and fee reimbursement to Kansas educational institutions;
56-(b) enter into a cooperative relationship with the adjutant general
57-to ensure efficient operation of the program;
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75+"program" means the program established pursuant to the provisions of the
76+Kansas national guard educational assistance act.
77+(d) "Educational program" means a program which that is offered and
78+maintained by a Kansas educational institution and leads to the award of a
79+certificate, diploma or degree upon satisfactory completion of course work
80+requirements.
81+(e) "Dependent" means an individual who is registered as an eligible
82+dependent of the sponsoring eligible guard member in the defense
83+enrollment eligibility reporting system (DEERS).
84+Sec. 3. K.S.A. 74-32,147 is hereby amended to read as follows: 74-
85+32,147. The state board of regents shall adopt rules and regulations for the
86+administration of the Kansas national guard educational assistance act and
87+shall:
88+(a) Establish a mechanism to ensure distribution of funds for tuition
89+and fee reimbursement to Kansas educational institutions;
90+(b) enter into a cooperative relationship with the adjutant general to
91+ensure efficient operation of the program;
5892 (c) develop and effectuate a system of accountability for all
5993 disbursements under the program and provide written reports as
6094 prescribed; and
61-(d) coordinate with the adjutant general a procedure to ensure
62-initial and on-going ongoing eligibility of all guard members and
63-dependents who are program participants.
64-Sec. 4. K.S.A. 74-32,148 is hereby amended to read as follows:
65-74-32,148. (a) Subject to the availability of appropriations for the HOUSE BILL No. 2185—page 2
66-Kansas national guard educational assistance program and within the
67-limits of any such appropriations, every eligible guard member or
68-dependent who is enrolled at a Kansas educational institution and who
69-is participating in the program shall receive assistance each semester in
70-an amount equal to the tuition and required fees for not more than 15
71-credit hours. The aggregate number of credit hours for which assistance
72-may be provided under the program shall not exceed 150% of the total
73-credit hours required for the eligible guard member or dependent to
74-complete such member's or such dependent's educational program.
95+(d) coordinate with the adjutant general a procedure to ensure initial
96+and on-going ongoing eligibility of all guard members and dependents
97+who are program participants.
98+Sec. 4. K.S.A. 74-32,148 is hereby amended to read as follows: 74-
99+32,148. (a) Subject to the availability of appropriations for the Kansas
100+national guard educational assistance program and within the limits of any
101+such appropriations, every eligible guard member or dependent who is
102+enrolled at a Kansas educational institution and who is participating in the
103+program shall receive assistance each semester in an amount equal to the
104+tuition and required fees for not more than 15 credit hours. The aggregate
105+number of credit hours for which assistance may be provided under the
106+program shall not exceed 150% of the total credit hours required for the
107+eligible guard member or dependent to complete such member's or such
108+dependent's educational program.
75109 (b) Eligible guard members may either personally participate or
76110 sponsor a dependent to participate in the Kansas national guard
77-educational assistance program. Assistance available to such
78-dependent under the program is subject to the availability of funds
79-after educational benefits are fully funded for all eligible guard
80-members participating in the Kansas national guard educational
81-assistance program.
82-(b)(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), eligible
83-guard members shall not be paid the Kansas national guard
84-educational assistance program shall not pay for the amount of tuition
85-and required fees charged for any course repeated or taken in excess of
86-the requirements for completion of the educational program in which
87-the eligible guard member or dependent is enrolled. The amount of
88-tuition and required fees paid an eligible guard member or dependent
89-pursuant to subsection (a) shall be at a rate not to exceed the maximum
90-rate that would be charged by a state educational institution, as defined
91-in K.S.A. 76-711, and amendments thereto, for enrollment of the
92-eligible guard member or dependent.
93-(c)(d) Amounts of assistance for which an eligible guard member
94-or dependent is eligible to receive under this act shall be offset by the
111+educational assistance program. Assistance available to such dependent
112+under the program is subject to the availability of funds after educational
113+benefits are fully funded for all eligible guard members participating in
114+the Kansas national guard educational assistance program.
115+(b)(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), eligible guard
116+members shall not be paid the amount of tuition and required fees charged
117+for any course repeated or taken in excess of the requirements for
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161+completion of the educational program in which the eligible guard member
162+or dependent is enrolled. The amount of tuition and required fees paid an
163+eligible guard member or dependent pursuant to subsection (a) shall be at
164+a rate not to exceed the maximum rate that would be charged by a state
165+educational institution, as defined in K.S.A. 76-711, and amendments
166+thereto, for enrollment of the eligible guard member or dependent.
167+(c)(d) Amounts of assistance for which an eligible guard member or
168+dependent is eligible to receive under this act shall be offset by the
95169 aggregate amount of federal financial assistance received by such guard
96-member or dependent, as a result of active national guard membership,
97-to pay the costs of tuition and fees for enrollment at Kansas educational
170+member or dependent, as a result of active national guard membership, to
171+pay the costs of tuition and fees for enrollment at Kansas educational
98172 institutions.
99173 Sec. 5. K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 74-32,149 is hereby amended to read as
100-follows: 74-32,149. (a) (1) In order for a member of the national guard
101-or a dependent to qualify for participation in the Kansas national guard
174+follows: 74-32,149. (a) (1) In order for a member of the national guard or
175+a dependent to qualify for participation in the Kansas national guard
102176 educational assistance program, an eligible guard member must shall
103-agree, in writing, to complete such member's current service obligation
104-in the Kansas national guard and serve actively in good standing with
105-the Kansas national guard for not less than 24 months upon completion
106-of the last semester for which the member or dependent receives
107-assistance under the program.
177+agree, in writing, to complete such member's current service obligation in
178+the Kansas national guard and serve actively in good standing with the
179+Kansas national guard for not less than 24 months upon completion of the
180+last semester for which the member or dependent receives assistance under
181+the program.
108182 (2) In order for a member of the national guard to qualify for
109183 assistance from the Kansas national guard educational assistance
110184 program, an eligible guard member shall:
111185 (A) Hold a high school diploma or high school equivalency
112186 credential;
113187 (B) be enrolled at a Kansas educational institution; and
114188 (C) not hold a baccalaureate or higher academic degree.
115189 (3) An eligible guard member may only sponsor one dependent to
116-participate in the Kansas national guard educational program during
117-such member's service.
190+participate in the Kansas national guard educational program during such
191+member's service.
118192 (4) To qualify for assistance from the Kansas national guard
119193 educational assistance program, a dependent shall:
120194 (A) Hold a high school diploma or high school equivalency
121195 credential;
122196 (B) be enrolled at a Kansas educational institution;
123197 (C) not hold a baccalaureate or higher academic degree; and
124-(D) complete and submit the Kansas student aid application with
125-the state board of regents.
198+(D) complete and submit the Kansas student aid application with the
199+state board of regents.
126200 (2)(5) Prior to becoming eligible for participation in the program,
127-each eligible guard member or dependent shall submit the free
128-application for federal student aid, and apply for any other federal
129-tuition assistance that such member or dependent also may be eligible HOUSE BILL No. 2185—page 3
130-to receive.
201+each eligible guard member or dependent shall submit the free application
202+for federal student aid, and apply for any other federal tuition assistance
203+that such member or dependent also may be eligible to receive.
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131247 (b) In order to remain eligible for participation in the program, an
132-eligible guard member must or dependent shall remain in good
133-standing at the Kansas educational institution where enrolled, make
134-satisfactory progress toward completion of the requirements of the
135-educational program in which enrolled, and maintain a grade point
136-average of not less than 2.0 and. The eligible guard member shall
137-maintain satisfactory participation in the Kansas national guard. It shall
138-be the responsibility of the eligible guard member to obtain a certificate
139-from the member's commanding officer attesting to the member's
140-satisfactory participation in the Kansas national guard and to present
141-the certificate to the educational institution, in order to obtain a
142-payment under this act. The certificate shall be presented at the time
143-payment is requested for completed courses. Upon completion of each
144-semester, each eligible guard member or dependent receiving
145-assistance under the program shall submit a transcript of the credit
146-hours earned by such guard member or dependent, including the grades
147-for credit hours, to such eligible member's unit of assignment.
248+eligible guard member must or dependent shall remain in good standing at
249+the Kansas educational institution where enrolled, make satisfactory
250+progress toward completion of the requirements of the educational
251+program in which enrolled, and maintain a grade point average of not less
252+than 2.0 and. The eligible guard member shall maintain satisfactory
253+participation in the Kansas national guard. It shall be the responsibility of
254+the eligible guard member to obtain a certificate from the member's
255+commanding officer attesting to the member's satisfactory participation in
256+the Kansas national guard and to present the certificate to the educational
257+institution, in order to obtain a payment under this act. The certificate shall
258+be presented at the time payment is requested for completed courses. Upon
259+completion of each semester, each eligible guard member or dependent
260+receiving assistance under the program shall submit a transcript of the
261+credit hours earned by such guard member or dependent, including the
262+grades for credit hours, to such eligible member's unit of assignment.
148263 (c) Upon failure of any person, who as an eligible guard member
149264 received payments or whose dependent received payments under the
150-Kansas national guard educational assistance act, to satisfy the
151-agreement to continue service in the Kansas national guard as provided
152-by subsection (a)(1), such person shall pay to the state of Kansas an
153-amount to be determined as follows:
154-(1) Determine the total amount of assistance paid to such member
155-or dependent under the program;
156-(2) divide the amount determined under subsection (c)(1) by 24;
157-and
265+Kansas national guard educational assistance act, to satisfy the agreement
266+to continue service in the Kansas national guard as provided by subsection
267+(a)(1), such person shall pay to the state of Kansas an amount to be
268+determined as follows:
269+(1) Determine the total amount of assistance paid to such member or
270+dependent under the program;
271+(2) divide the amount determined under subsection (c)(1) by 24; and
158272 (3) multiply the amount determined under subsection (c)(2) by the
159273 number of months such member did not serve as required by subsection
160-(a)(1). The resulting product is the total amount of recoupment from
161-such member.
162-All amounts paid to the state under this subsection shall be
163-deposited in the state treasury and credited to the Kansas national guard
164-educational assistance program repayment fund created by K.S.A. 74-
165-32,150, and amendments thereto.
274+(a)(1). The resulting product is the total amount of recoupment from such
275+member.
276+All amounts paid to the state under this subsection shall be deposited in
277+the state treasury and credited to the Kansas national guard educational
278+assistance program repayment fund created by K.S.A. 74-32,150, and
279+amendments thereto.
166280 (d) Any eligible guard member that received payments, or whose
167-dependent received payments, under the program but has failed to
168-satisfy the agreement to continue service in the Kansas national guard
169-as provided by subsection (a)(1) by reason of extenuating
170-circumstances or extreme hardship may request a waiver from
171-recoupment. Such request shall be in writing and submitted through
172-such member's chain of command to the Kansas national guard
173-education services office. The chief of staff of the Kansas army national
174-guard or the director of staff for the Kansas air national guard shall
175-review all requests for a waiver from recoupment, and the decision to
176-issue such waiver shall be made by either officer as such officer deems
177-appropriate.
281+dependent received payments, under the program but has failed to satisfy
282+the agreement to continue service in the Kansas national guard as provided
283+by subsection (a)(1) by reason of extenuating circumstances or extreme
284+hardship may request a waiver from recoupment. Such request shall be in
285+writing and submitted through such member's chain of command to the
286+Kansas national guard education services office. The chief of staff of the
287+Kansas army national guard or the director of staff for the Kansas air
288+national guard shall review all requests for a waiver from recoupment, and
289+the decision to issue such waiver shall be made by either officer as such
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333+officer deems appropriate.
178334 Sec. 6. K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 74-32,305 is hereby amended to read as
179335 follows: 74-32,305. (a) K.S.A. 74-32,305 through 74-32,310, and
180336 amendments thereto, shall be known and may be cited as the Kansas
181337 national guard educational master's for enhanced readiness and global
182338 excellence (EMERGE) program.
183-(b) The purpose of the Kansas national guard EMERGE program
184-is to establish a master's an advanced degree assistance program under
185-which payment of the tuition and fees charged to eligible members of
186-the Kansas national guard for enrollment in master's advanced degree
187-programs at Kansas educational institutions shall be provided by the
188-state pursuant to the EMERGE program.
339+(b) The purpose of the Kansas national guard EMERGE program is to
340+establish a master's an advanced degree assistance program under which
341+payment of the tuition and fees charged to eligible members of the Kansas
342+national guard for enrollment in master's advanced degree programs at
343+Kansas educational institutions shall be provided by the state pursuant to
344+the EMERGE program.
189345 Sec. 7. K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 74-32,306 is hereby amended to read as
190346 follows: 74-32,306. As used in the Kansas national guard educational
191347 master's for enhanced readiness and global excellence (EMERGE)
192348 program:
193-(a) "Educational programAdvanced degree" means a master's HOUSE BILL No. 2185—page 4
194-degree program offered or maintained by a Kansas educational
195-institution that leads to the award of a master's, professional degree or
196-doctorate awarded to an eligible guard member upon satisfactory
197-completion of the course work requirements of such degree program
198-offered or maintained by a Kansas educational institution.
349+(a) "Educational programAdvanced degree" means a master's degree
350+program offered or maintained by a Kansas educational institution that
351+leads to the award of a master's, professional degree or doctorate awarded
352+to an eligible guard member upon satisfactory completion of the course
353+work requirements of such degree program offered or maintained by a
354+Kansas educational institution.
199355 (b) "Doctorate" means a degree requiring three or more academic
200-years of full-time academic study or the equivalent in part-time
201-attendance that follows the successful completion of a baccalaureate or
202-master's degree. A "doctorate" may be either a research or a
203-professional practice degree.
356+years of full-time academic study or the equivalent in part-time attendance
357+that follows the successful completion of a baccalaureate or master's
358+degree. A "doctorate" may be either a research or a professional practice
359+degree.
204360 (c) "Eligible guard member" means any member of the Kansas
205-national guard who has been accepted into an eligible master's
206-advanced degree program and who is not under a suspension of
207-favorable flag action or on the unit unfavorable information file.
208-"Eligible guard member" includes nonconcurrent guard members
209-accepted into an eligible professional degree program if they are
210-qualified to join the Kansas national guard.
361+national guard who has been accepted into an eligible master's advanced
362+degree program and who is not under a suspension of favorable flag action
363+or on the unit unfavorable information file. "Eligible guard member"
364+includes nonconcurrent guard members accepted into an eligible
365+professional degree program if they are qualified to join the Kansas
366+national guard.
211367 (c)(d) "Kansas educational institution" means a state educational
212368 institution, as defined in K.S.A. 76-711, and amendments thereto,
213-Washburn university or an accredited independent institution, as
214-defined in K.S.A. 72-3222, and amendments thereto.
369+Washburn university or an accredited independent institution, as defined in
370+K.S.A. 72-3222, and amendments thereto.
215371 (d)(e) "Kansas national guard educational master's for enhanced
216-readiness and global excellence program" or "EMERGE program"
217-means the program established pursuant to the provisions of the Kansas
218-national guard educational master's for enhanced readiness and global
219-excellence program.
220-(f) "Master's degree" means a degree requiring not less than one
221-year of academic work or the equivalent in part-time attendance and
222-follows the successful completion of a baccalaureate degree.
223-(g) "Professional degree" means a degree that requires not less
224-than three years of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time
225-attendance that follows the successful completion of a baccalaureate
226-degree, such as a juris doctor degree or a physician's assistant degree.
372+readiness and global excellence program" or "EMERGE program" means
373+the program established pursuant to the provisions of the Kansas national
374+guard educational master's for enhanced readiness and global excellence
375+program.
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419+(f) "Master's degree" means a degree requiring not less than one year
420+of academic work or the equivalent in part-time attendance and follows
421+the successful completion of a baccalaureate degree.
422+(g) "Professional degree" means a degree that requires not less than
423+three years of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time attendance that
424+follows the successful completion of a baccalaureate degree, such as a
425+juris doctor degree or a physician's assistant degree.
227426 Sec. 8. K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 74-32,308 is hereby amended to read as
228-follows: 74-32,308. (a) Subject to the availability of appropriations for
229-the Kansas national guard EMERGE program and within the limits of
230-any such appropriations, except as provided in subsections (b) and (c),
231-every eligible national guard member who is enrolled at a Kansas
232-educational institution and participating in the program shall receive
233-assistance each semester in an amount equal to the tuition and required
234-fees for not more than 15 hours. The aggregate number of credit hours
235-for which assistance may be provided under the program shall not
236-exceed 150% of the total credit hours required for the eligible guard
237-member to complete such member's master's advanced degree program.
238-(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), eligible
239-guard members shall not be paid the EMERGE program shall not pay
240-for the amount of tuition and fees charged for any course repeated or
241-taken in excess of the requirements for completion of the master's
242-advanced degree program in which the eligible guard member is
243-enrolled. The amount of tuition and required fees paid an eligible guard
427+follows: 74-32,308. (a) Subject to the availability of appropriations for the
428+Kansas national guard EMERGE program and within the limits of any
429+such appropriations, except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), every
430+eligible national guard member who is enrolled at a Kansas educational
431+institution and participating in the program shall receive assistance each
432+semester in an amount equal to the tuition and required fees for not more
433+than 15 hours. The aggregate number of credit hours for which assistance
434+may be provided under the program shall not exceed 150% of the total
435+credit hours required for the eligible guard member to complete such
436+member's master's advanced degree program.
437+(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), eligible guard
438+members shall not be paid the amount of tuition and fees charged for any
439+course repeated or taken in excess of the requirements for completion of
440+the master's advanced degree program in which the eligible guard member
441+is enrolled. The amount of tuition and required fees paid an eligible guard
244442 member pursuant to subsection (a) shall be at a rate not to exceed the
245-maximum rate that would be charged by a state educational institution
246-for enrollment of the eligible guard member.
443+maximum rate that would be charged by a state educational institution for
444+enrollment of the eligible guard member.
247445 (c) Amounts of assistance for which an eligible guard member is
248-eligible to receive under this act shall be offset by the aggregate amount
249-of federal or institutional tuition assistance received by such eligible
250-guard member, as a result of active national guard membership, to pay
251-costs of tuition and fees for enrollment at Kansas educational
252-institutions.
446+eligible to receive under this act shall be offset by the aggregate amount of
447+federal or institutional tuition assistance received by such eligible guard
448+member, as a result of active national guard membership, to pay costs of
449+tuition and fees for enrollment at Kansas educational institutions.
253450 Sec. 9. K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 74-32,309 is hereby amended to read as
254451 follows: 74-32,309. (a) On or before July 1 of each academic year, The
255452 adjutant general shall select up to 100 eligible national guard members
256453 annually who applied to the program to receive assistance from such
257-program. The number of eligible guard members in the program shall HOUSE BILL No. 2185—page 5
258-not exceed 200 eligible guard members in any one school year.
454+program. The number of eligible guard members in the program shall not
455+exceed 200 eligible guard members in any one school year.
259456 (b) (1) In order to qualify for participation in the Kansas national
260-guard EMERGE program, an eligible national guard member shall
261-agree, in writing, to complete such member's current service obligation
262-in the Kansas national guard and serve actively in good standing with
263-the Kansas national guard or in a duty status affiliated with the Kansas
264-national guard for not less than 48 months upon completion of the last
265-semester for which the member receives assistance under the program
266-for a master's degree and for not less than 72 months upon graduation
267-for a doctorate or professional degree for which the member receives
268-assistance under the program.
269-(2) Prior to becoming eligible for participation in the program,
270-each eligible guard member shall submit the free application for federal
271-student aid and apply for any other federal tuition assistance that such
272-member also may be eligible to receive.
457+guard EMERGE program, an eligible national guard member shall agree,
458+in writing, to complete such member's current service obligation in the
459+Kansas national guard and serve actively in good standing with the Kansas
460+national guard or in a duty status affiliated with the Kansas national guard
461+for not less than 48 months upon completion of the last semester for which
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505+the member receives assistance under the program for a master's degree
506+and for not less than 72 months upon graduation for a doctorate or
507+professional degree for which the member receives assistance under the
508+program.
509+(2) Prior to becoming eligible for participation in the program, each
510+eligible guard member shall submit the free application for federal student
511+aid and apply for any other federal tuition assistance that such member
512+also may be eligible to receive.
273513 (c) In order to remain eligible for participation in the program, an
274514 eligible guard member shall remain in good standing at the Kansas
275-educational institution where such member is enrolled, make
276-satisfactory progress toward completion of the requirements of such
277-member's master's advanced degree program, maintain a grade point
278-average of not less than 2.75 for a master's degree or a 3.0 for a
279-doctorate or professional degree and maintain satisfactory participation
280-in the Kansas national guard.
515+educational institution where such member is enrolled, make satisfactory
516+progress toward completion of the requirements of such member's master's
517+advanced degree program, maintain a grade point average of not less than
518+2.75 for a master's degree or a 3.0 for a doctorate or professional degree
519+and maintain satisfactory participation in the Kansas national guard.
281520 (d) (1) Upon failure of any eligible guard member who received
282-payments under the Kansas national guard EMERGE program to
283-satisfy the agreement to continue service in the Kansas national guard
284-as provided by subsection (a), such person shall pay to the state of
285-Kansas an amount to be determined as follows:
521+payments under the Kansas national guard EMERGE program to satisfy
522+the agreement to continue service in the Kansas national guard as provided
523+by subsection (a), such person shall pay to the state of Kansas an amount
524+to be determined as follows:
286525 (A) Determine the total amount of assistance paid to such member
287526 under the program;
288-(B) divide the amount determined under subsection (d)(1)(A) by
289-48 for a master's degree or 72 for a doctorate or professional degree;
290-and
527+(B) divide the amount determined under subsection (d)(1)(A) by 48
528+for a master's degree or 72 for a doctorate or professional degree; and
291529 (C) multiply the amount determined under subsection (d)(1)(B) by
292530 the number of months such member did not serve as required by
293-subsection (a). The resulting product is the total amount of recoupment
294-to be paid by such member.
531+subsection (a). The resulting product is the total amount of recoupment to
532+be paid by such member.
295533 (2) All amounts paid to the state under this subsection shall be
296534 deposited in the state treasury and credited to the Kansas national guard
297535 EMERGE program repayment fund created by section 6 K.S.A. 2024
298536 Supp. 74-32,310, and amendments thereto.
299537 (e) Any eligible guard member that received payments under the
300-program but has failed to satisfy the agreement to continue service in
301-the Kansas national guard as provided by subsection (a) by reason of
302-extenuating circumstances or extreme hardship may request a waiver
303-from recoupment under subsection (d). Such request shall be in writing
304-and submitted through such member's chain of command to the Kansas
305-national guard education services office. The chief of staff of the
306-Kansas army national guard or the director of staff for the Kansas air
307-national guard shall review all requests for a waiver from recoupment,
308-and the decision to issue such waiver shall be made by either officer as
309-such officer deems appropriate. HOUSE BILL No. 2185—page 6
310-Sec. 10. K.S.A. 74-32,145, 74-32,146, 74-32,147 and 74-32,148
311-and K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 74-32,149, 74-32,305, 74-32,306, 74-32,308
312-and 74-32,309 are hereby repealed.
538+program but has failed to satisfy the agreement to continue service in the
539+Kansas national guard as provided by subsection (a) by reason of
540+extenuating circumstances or extreme hardship may request a waiver from
541+recoupment under subsection (d). Such request shall be in writing and
542+submitted through such member's chain of command to the Kansas
543+national guard education services office. The chief of staff of the Kansas
544+army national guard or the director of staff for the Kansas air national
545+guard shall review all requests for a waiver from recoupment, and the
546+decision to issue such waiver shall be made by either officer as such
547+officer deems appropriate.
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591+Sec. 10. K.S.A. 74-32,145, 74-32,146, 74-32,147 and 74-32,148 and
592+K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 74-32,149, 74-32,305, 74-32,306, 74-32,308 and 74-
593+32,309 are hereby repealed.
313594 Sec. 11. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
314595 publication in the statute book.
315-I hereby certify that the above BILL originated in the HOUSE, and passed
316-that body
317-Speaker of the House.
318-Chief Clerk of the House.
319-
320-Passed the SENATE ______________________________________________________________________________
321-President of the Senate.
322-Secretary of the Senate.
323-APPROVED __________________________________________________________________________________________________
324-Governor.
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