Tennessee House Bill HB2743

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/5/24
• Refer: 3/11/24
• Refer: 3/20/24
• Refer: 4/17/24
• Chaptered: 6/3/24
• Passed: 6/3/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to in-state tuition for family members of persons serving in the military.

Impact

The implications of HB 2743 are significant as it expands the educational benefits available to military families. By allowing spouses and dependent children of service members to qualify for in-state tuition, the bill addresses barriers that often prevent these individuals from pursuing higher education. For many military families, the financial burden associated with out-of-state tuition can be prohibitive, and this legislation is designed to alleviate that concern, thus promoting educational access and equity for those who have served in the military.

Summary

House Bill 2743 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated concerning the classification of students who are family members of military personnel. Specifically, the bill mandates that public higher education institutions in Tennessee must classify a spouse or dependent child of a service member as an in-state student for tuition purposes, regardless of their domicile or place of residence. This initiative seeks to support military families, ensuring they have access to more affordable education options when they relocate due to the service member's duties.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding HB 2743 appears to be positive, especially within the military community and among advocacy groups focused on education for military families. Supporters believe that this change in policy is a necessary step toward recognizing the unique challenges faced by service members and their families. However, there may be concerns raised by critics regarding the potential financial implications for state-funded educational institutions and how such changes could affect state budgets in the long term.

Contention

Discussion around HB 2743 may also touch upon broader themes of educational equity for military families, with some legislators potentially arguing for an expansion of benefits to include other groups. Notably, as the bill does not specify additional financial support mechanisms for institutions taking on the new requirements, questions could arise regarding the sustainability of this approach. Some stakeholders may express concern over how the influx of students qualifying for in-state tuition could impact current student populations and state resources.