CA AB2554

Extends tuition and fee exemptions to surviving spouses and children of federal firefighters whose duty assignments involved firefighting services in California, matching existing protections for survivors of state and local government firefighters.

Amends Section 68120 of the Education Code to include federal firefighters employed by the federal government among those whose survivors qualify for mandatory systemwide fee and tuition waivers at UC, California State University, Hastings College of the Law, and California Community Colleges.

Applies the same eligibility requirements to federal firefighter survivors as existing law applies to other public agency firefighters, including that the firefighter was a state resident, had principal duties in active fire suppression and prevention, and died as a result of those duties.

Establishes that surviving children of contractors must be undergraduate students and meet income limits not exceeding Cal Grant B thresholds to qualify for the exemption.

Requires state reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for any costs mandated by the bill, as determined by the Commission on State Mandates.