HB18-1228 Summary

• Creates Article 7.4 of Title 23 titled "Higher Education for Military Service Act" to consolidate scattered military-related higher education provisions into a single location for increased transparency and accessibility.

• Relocates existing provisions regarding in-state tuition classification for Colorado National Guard members, armed forces veterans, and federal law covered individuals from various sections into the new consolidated article.

• Relocates provisions for tuition assistance to National Guard members (formerly section 23-5-111.4) that provide 50-100% tuition coverage, subject to available appropriations and a maximum of 132 semester hours or 8 years of eligibility.

• Reorganizes financial assistance provisions for dependents of prisoners of war, missing military personnel, and deceased or permanently disabled National Guard members by cross-referencing existing statutes rather than moving the text.

• Takes effect August 8, 2018, unless subject to a referendum petition, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2018 general election.