Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Tuition and Fees

Description:

Provides tuition and fee exemptions for children of law enforcement officers, firefighters, reserve police officers, emergency medical services personnel, disabled Hawaii veterans, and Hawaii veterans declared Prisoners of War or Missing in Action.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2037

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TUITION AND FEE EXEMPTION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding three new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§ -    Tuition and fee exemptions for children of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. (a) The natural or legally adopted children of:

(1) Regular, paid law enforcement officers;

(2) Volunteer law enforcement officers;

(3) Regular, paid firefighters;

(4) Volunteer firefighters;

(5) Reserve police officers;

(6) Emergency medical technicians; or

(7) Mobile intensive care technicians,

who have been permanently and totally disabled or killed in the line of duty shall not be required to pay tuition or mandatory fees at any state supported college, university, or technical school, so long as the children are less than twenty-three years of age, are full-time students pursuing a prescribed course of study, and maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the college, university, or school.

(b) This section shall apply to the children of a:

(1) Regular, paid law enforcement officer;

(2) Volunteer law enforcement officer;

(3) Regular, paid firefighter;

(4) Volunteer firefighter;

(5) Reserve police officer;

(6) Emergency medical technician; or

(7) Mobile intensive care technician,

even if the law enforcement officer, firefighter, reserve police officer, emergency medical technician, or mobile intensive care technician was permanently and totally disabled or killed in the line of duty before the effective date of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the State to remit any tuition or fees for terms completed by the children prior to their application for the benefits provided under this section.

(c) The amount of the benefits described under this section shall be equal to one of the following amounts:

(1) If the children do not receive any other benefits from any source specifically designated for tuition and mandatory fees, then the amount determined under subsection (a); or

(2) If the children receive any other benefits from any source specifically designated for tuition and mandatory fees, then the amount determined under subsection (a) minus any other benefits specifically designated for tuition and mandatory fees.

(d) The director of labor and industrial relations shall consult with the president of the University of Hawaii to carry out the purposes of this section.

§ -    Tuition and fee exemptions for children of disabled Hawaii veterans. (a) The natural or legally adopted children of disabled veterans who:

(1) Filed Hawaii state income taxes for thirty-six consecutive months or more;

(2) Served in the Armed Forces of the United States from:

(A) April 6, 1917 to July 2, 1921;

(B) September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946;

(C) June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955;

(D) August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975; or

(E) After August 2, 1990;

(3) Sustained service-connected deaths or disabilities as evidenced by the records of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, received wounds as a result of enemy action, or received the Purple Heart Medal; and

(4) Were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable,

shall be entitled to receive up to one hundred twenty-four semester credit hours of benefits, specifically for tuition and mandatory fees, at any state supported college, university, or technical school, so long as the children are students pursuing a prescribed course of study and maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the college, university, or school.

(b) This section shall apply to the children of disabled Hawaii veterans even if the veterans sustained service-connected deaths or disabilities as evidenced by the records of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, received wounds as a result of enemy action, or received the Purple Heart Medal before the effective date of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the State to remit any tuition or fees for terms completed by the children prior to their application for the benefits provided under this section.

(c) The amount of the benefits described under this section shall be equal to one of the following amounts:

(1) If the children do not receive any other benefits specifically designated for tuition and mandatory fees, then the amount determined under subsection (a); or

(2) If the children receive any other benefits specifically designated for tuition and mandatory fees, then the amount determined under subsection (a) minus any other benefits specifically designated for tuition and mandatory fees.

(d) The director of the office of veterans' services shall consult with the president of the University of Hawaii to carry out the purposes of this section.

§ -    Tuition and fee exemptions for children of Hawaii veterans declared prisoners of war or missing in action. (a) The natural or legally adopted children of veterans:

(1) Classified as prisoners of war or missing in action after January 1, 1960;

(2) Who filed Hawaii state income taxes for thirty-six consecutive months or more immediately prior to entering active duty in the United States Armed Forces;

shall be entitled to receive up to one hundred twenty-four semester credit hours of benefits, specifically for tuition and mandatory fees, at any state supported college, university, or technical school, so long as the children: were born to, adopted by, or in the legal custody of the veterans before or during the time the veterans were classified as prisoners of war or missing in action; are students pursuing a prescribed course of study; and maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the college, university, or school.

(b) This section shall apply to the children of Hawaii veterans classified as prisoners of war or missing in action even if the veterans were classified as prisoners of war or missing in action before the effective date of this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the State to remit any tuition or fees for terms completed by the children prior to their application for the benefits provided under this section.

(c) The amount of the benefits described under this section shall be equal to one of the following amounts:

(1) If the children do not receive any other benefits specifically designated for tuition and mandatory fees, then the amount determined under subsection (a); or

(2) If the children receive any other benefits specifically designated for tuition and mandatory fees, then the amount determined under subsection (a) minus any other benefits specifically designated for tuition and mandatory fees.

(d) The director of the office of veterans' services shall consult with the president of the University of Hawaii to carry out the purposes of this section."

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, to carry out the purposes of this Act. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii.

SECTION 3. In accordance with article X, section 6 of the state constitution, the legislature finds and declares this Act to be a law of statewide concern.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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