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House expands National Guard tuition waiver to cover postsecondary certificates and credentials
Summary
House Bill 1005 passed the Arkansas House unanimously, allowing Arkansas National Guard members to use tuition waivers for postsecondary certificates or credentials in addition to degree programs.
The Arkansas House of Representatives passed House Bill 1005 by a recorded vote of 98-0-0 to extend the state National Guard tuition waiver to programs leading to postsecondary certificates or credentials as well as degree programs.
Representative Ray explained the bill as an update to the National Guard Tuition Waiver Program, created in 2017, that would allow guardsmen to use the waiver for short-term credentialing programs tied to workforce needs. "House Bill 1005 updates the National Guard tuition waiver program and improves it by allowing guardsmen to use their tuition waiver for a post secondary credential or certificate in addition to a degree seeking program," Ray said.
Ray framed the change as a workforce-development tool, noting an estimated "4 to 500 guardsmen a year" use the waiver under the current program and listing examples of credentialed occupations that could benefit, including auto mechanic, diesel technician, collision repair specialist and high-voltage lineman. He said the program was originally created to assist with recruitment and retention and credited former Representative Doug House as the lead sponsor of the 2017 program.
Following the sponsor’s explanation there was no floor debate; the House recorded a unanimous vote of 98 yeas, 0 nays and 0 present and passed the bill.
