A bill for an act relating to in-state residency for purposes of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions and community colleges for certain military personnel and family members.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HF 175 grants in-state tuition status to military personnel, veterans, and their families in Iowa, easing their financial burden for higher education.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 175.

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Purpose and Intent

House Study Bill 6 (HSB 6), now renumbered as HF 175, aims to establish in-state residency status for certain military personnel, their spouses, dependent children, and survivors for the purpose of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions and community colleges in Iowa. This legislation is designed to support military families by easing the financial burden of higher education.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several important provisions:

Definition of Key Terms:

Qualified Military Person: A member of the U.S. military on active duty stationed in Iowa or at the Rock Island Arsenal.
Qualified Veteran: A veteran who meets specific criteria, including eligibility for benefits under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act.
Dependent Child: A child claimed as a dependent by a qualified military person or veteran on their tax filings.

Residency Classification:

The bill allows qualified military personnel and veterans, along with their spouses and dependent children, to be classified as residents for tuition purposes if they are domiciled in Iowa while enrolled in higher education institutions.
Spouses and dependent children of qualified military personnel or veterans will maintain residency status even if the military member is transferred, provided they remain continuously enrolled.

Survivor Definition:

The bill defines "survivor" as the spouse or child of a deceased veteran, allowing them to benefit from in-state tuition as well.

Affected Parties

The legislation primarily impacts:
- Military Personnel: Active-duty members stationed in Iowa.
- Veterans: Individuals who have served in the military and meet the defined criteria.
- Families: Spouses and dependent children of qualified military personnel and veterans, as well as survivors of deceased veterans.

Procedural Timeline

Introduced: January 14, 2025, and referred to the Veterans Affairs Committee.

Subcommittee Actions:

A subcommittee meeting was held on January 17, 2025.
The subcommittee recommended passage on January 21, 2025.

Committee Actions:

The bill was reported approvingly by the committee on January 29, 2025, with a vote of 17 in favor and none against.
The bill was renumbered as HF 175 on January 30, 2025.

Conclusion

HSB 6 (HF 175) represents a significant step towards supporting military families in Iowa by providing them with in-state residency status for educational purposes. This legislation aims to alleviate financial challenges associated with higher education for those who have served or are currently serving in the military, as well as their families.

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