The original instrument was prepared by Jeanne Johnston. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Laura
Gail Sullivan.
DIGEST
SB 247 Reengrossed 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 any "covered individual" as defined in 38 U.S.C. 3679, as amended by
the federal Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, shall be classified as a resident
for tuition purposes and shall qualify for resident tuition and fees at every Louisiana public
institution of postsecondary education, as allowed by federal and state law, including the
Constitution of Louisiana.
Effective Jan. 1, 2016.
(Adds R.S. 17:2137(F); repeals R.S. 17:2137(E)) Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the original bill
1. Modifies language to more closely align with provisions of federal law.
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs to
the engrossed bill
1. Changes the effective date to Jan. 1, 2016.