The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
SB 247 Original 2015 Regular Session John Smith
Present law, provides that members of the armed forces stationed in La. on active duty and their
dependents shall be entitled to resident classification for tuition amount purposes at public
postsecondary education institutions, without regard to length of time of residency in the state.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that a student who is enrolled in or is applying for enrollment in a La. public
college or university, who resides in La. during such enrollment, who has served in the U.S. Armed
Forces as defined by federal law (10 U.S.C. 101(a)(4)), and who meets certain other eligibility
requirements, is entitled to resident classification for tuition amount purposes, without regard to
length of time of residency in the state. Further provides that present law does not apply to tuition
charged to a veteran eligible for benefits under the Yellow Ribbon Program (Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter
33).
Present law further specifies that in addition to its other provisions, the student must meet at least
one of the following conditions:
(1)Has served on active duty for a continuous period of no less than two years, and received an
Honorable Discharge within one year of enrolling in a La. public college or university.
(2)Is currently serving in a Reserve Component of the U.S. Armed Forces.
(3)Has been assigned a service-connected disability by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Proposed law provides that beginning July 1, 2015, a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and
an eligible dependent of a veteran shall be classified as a resident by every Louisiana public
institution of postsecondary education for tuition and fee purposes, in accordance with the provisions
of the federal Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 and Title 38 of the United
States Code.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:2137(F); repeals R.S. 17:2137(E))