NAT. GUARD TUITION ASS.; EXTEND ACCESS                                     S.B. 104:

                                                                     SUMMARY OF DISCHARGED BILL

Senate Bill 104 (as discharged)

Sponsor:  Senator Adam J. Hollier

Committee: Families, Seniors, and Veterans (discharged)

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Act to allow the Adjutant General to establish a policy that would allow the spouse of an eligible person or one or more dependents of an eligible person to use an eligible person's tuition assistance established under the Act.

"Eligible person" means a member of the Michigan national guard who meets all of the following conditions: 1) is in active service; 2) is not absent without leave or under charges described in the Michigan Code of Military Justice; and 3) any other criteria determined by the Adjutant General consistent with Michigan National Guard recruiting and retention requirements.

MCL 32.433 & 32.434                              Legislative Analyst:  Tyler P. VanHuyse

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a negative fiscal impact on the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, requiring an additional $5.0 million General Fund/General Purpose (GF/GP) annually to fulfill the bill's provisions. The fiscal year (FY) 2022-23 budget for the Department provides $6,521,900 GF/GP for the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Program in its current form, applicable only to Guard members themselves. To cover the full FY 2022-23 costs to expand program coverage to spouses or dependents, this appropriation would need to be increased to approximately $11,521,900 GF/GP.

Date Completed:  11-29-22                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Bruce Baker 

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.