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HB 5780

AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- NATIONAL GUARD

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Azzinaro and 9 co-sponsors

Expands RI National Guard tuition assistance for members and their DEERS-enrolled dependents, funded by a capped annual education account administered by the Adjutant General.

05/01/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 5780

HB 5780 Summary - An Act Relating to Military Affairs and Defense — National Guard

Overview
- Purpose: Expand educational benefits for Rhode Island National Guard (RI NG) members and extend tuition support to their dependents, funded through a dedicated education account administered by the Office of the Adjutant General.
- Status: As of May 1, 2025, Committee recommended the measure be held for further study.
- Introduction and referrals: Introduced in early 2025; referred to the House Finance committee. Notable actions include a scheduled hearing and subsequent committee consideration before final floor action.

Key Provisions
- Education benefits for Guard members
- RI NG members in active, good standing who are eligible to attend a Rhode Island state college or university are eligible for a tuition assistance benefit covering five courses per semester.
- Benefits apply to basic tuition and general fees, with funding distributed to Rhode Island state colleges/universities.
- The total funding for the program is capped at $100,000 per fiscal year.

  • Dependents’ eligibility

    • Dependents (defined as immediate family enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, DEERS) of eligible RI NG members may also receive tuition assistance under the same program terms.

  • Funding administration and distribution

    • Funds are deposited into and administered by an education account managed by the Rhode Island Office of the Adjutant General.
    • Each participating state college/university will receive an equal share of the education account funds, with the exact allocation per institution determined by the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education.

  • Eligibility and good standing

    • To qualify, the Guard member must remain in good standing (participating satisfactorily in unit training assemblies and annual training periods, per certification by the adjutant general) and remain a student in good standing at a state college/university.

  • Service obligation and repayment

    • Participants must enter a contractual enlistment commitment: one year of obligated service for every 12 course credits, or four 3-credit courses, for which tuition is waived.
    • If the service obligation is not fulfilled, or if the participant withdraws, fails to complete a course, fails to timely provide grade reports, or otherwise does not participate satisfactorily, they must repay a pro-rated share of the assistance.
    • Repayment may be offset against state transfers or state income tax refunds. Violations may subject the participant to discipline under the Rhode Island military code.

Impact and Affected Parties
- Beneficiaries: RI NG members in good standing and their immediate family dependents enrolled in DEERS.
- Institutions: Rhode Island state colleges and universities receive set funding shares via the education account.
- Government/Administration: Managed by the Office of the Adjutant General; funded through a capped annual appropriation.

Timeline and Implementation
- Effective date: The act would take effect upon passage.
- Legislative timeline: Introduced February 26, 2025 (with some references to January 21, 2025 in related materials); referred to House Finance, then scheduled for hearing and consideration, and as of May 1, 2025, held for further study.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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