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HB 448

STUDENT/LOANS-SCHOLARSHP: Authorizes scholarships provided for firefighters and police officers injured in the line of duty and spouses of firefighters and police officers injured or killed in the line of duty to be used for any postgraduate degree (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Roy Adams and 8 co-sponsors

HB 448 allows injured firefighters and deceased firefighters' spouses to use existing scholarships toward master's degrees instead of only undergraduate education.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 448

Legislative bill overview

HB 448 expands scholarship eligibility for firefighters injured in the line of duty and surviving spouses of deceased firefighters to include master's degree programs, not just undergraduate education. The bill modifies existing scholarship provisions to recognize advanced educational pathways for these individuals.

Why is this important

Firefighters and their families who experience line-of-duty injuries or deaths face significant financial hardship alongside trauma. Extending scholarship access to graduate programs increases career advancement opportunities and financial support during recovery or transition periods for a vulnerable population.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: The bill references a potential General Fund expenditure increase, raising questions about budget allocation and whether new funding or existing scholarship pool redistribution is required
  • Scope definition: Unclear whether "injured in the line of duty" covers temporary disabilities, permanent disabilities, or both, which could affect program costs and eligibility disputes
  • Program administration: Determining how existing scholarship programs will accommodate master's degree tuition, which typically costs significantly more than undergraduate education, and whether funding levels are sufficient

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

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