South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 341

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Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 24, 2007

S. 341

Introduced by Senators Setzler and Knotts

S. Printed 4/24/07--S.

Read the first time January 25, 2007.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 341) to amend Section 59-111-20, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to free college, university, or technical college tuition for certain veterans' children, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

JOHN E. COURSON for Committee.

            

STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES:

See Below

ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT ON FEDERAL & OTHER FUND EXPENDITURES:

See Below

EXPLANATION OF IMPACT:

The Commission on Higher Education (CHE) indicates that because of the narrowly defined qualifications contained in the bill they do not anticipate a large number of students taking advantage of this provision. CHE estimates sixteen additional students becoming eligible; nine at four-year institutions and seven at two-year institutions.

Providing free tuition to these students would result in a loss of tuition revenue to the institutions. Average tuition at 4-year and 2-year institutions is $7,666 and $3,295 respectively. If the number of students utilizing this provision becomes substantial, tuition and fees schedules may need to be adjusted by the institutions to offset this loss of revenue.

SPECIAL NOTES:

The Board of Economic Advisors is the appropriate entity to address any revenue impact associated with this bill.

Approved By:

Don Addy

Office of State Budget

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 59-111-20, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FREE COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY, OR TECHNICAL COLLEGE TUITION FOR CERTAIN VETERANS' CHILDREN, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A CHILD OF CERTAIN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED SERVICES ALSO QUALIFY FOR FREE TUITION UNDER SPECIFIED CONDITIONS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 59-111-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 59-111-20.    (A)    A child of a wartime veteran, upon application to and approval by the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs, may be admitted to any state-supported college, university, or post high school technical education institution college free of tuition so long as his work and conduct is satisfactory to the governing body of the institution, if the veteran was a resident of this State at the time of entry into service and during service or has been a resident of this State for at least one year and still resides in this State or, if the veteran is deceased, resided in this State for one year before his death, and provided the veteran served honorably in a branch of the military service of the United States during a war period, as those periods are defined by Section 101 of Title 38 of the United States Code and:

(1)    was killed in action;

(2)    died from other causes while in the service;

(3)    died of disease or disability resulting from service;

(4)    was a prisoner of war as defined by Congress or Presidential proclamation during such war period;

(5)    is permanently and totally disabled, as determined by the Veterans Administration from any cause;

(6)    has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor;

(7)    is missing in action;

(8)    the applicant is the child of a deceased veteran who qualified under items (4) and (5); or

(9)    has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.

(B)    A child of an active duty member of the United States Armed Services, upon documentation provided by the United States Department of Defense, may be admitted to a state-supported college, university, or technical college free of tuition so long as his work and conduct is satisfactory to the governing body of the institution, if his parent serving in the military is a resident of this State and is serving honorably in a branch of the military service of the United States during a war period, as these periods are defined by Section 101 of Title 38 of the United States Code, or during a period of conflict where the President of the United States has been authorized to use the armed forces of the United States to defend the national security of the United States and:

(1)    has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat;

(2)    has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; or

(3)    is missing in action.

(B)(C)    The provisions of this section apply to a child of a veteran or a child of an active duty member of the United States Armed Services who meets the residency requirements of Chapter 112 of this title, is twenty-six years of age or younger, and is pursuing any type of undergraduate degree."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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