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Senate education committee gives due pass to bill granting in‑state tuition to contracted ROTC cadets; vote 7‑0
Summary
Senate Bill 1021, which would classify contracted ROTC cadets participating in an Arizona ROTC program as in‑state students for tuition purposes, received a due‑pass recommendation from the Senate Education Committee on a 7‑0 voice/roll call vote.
The Senate Education Committee voted 7‑0 on Monday to give Senate Bill 1021 a due‑pass recommendation. The bill would allow a person who is a contracted cadet participating in an Arizona Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program to be classified as an in‑state student for tuition purposes.
Senator Rogers, the bill sponsor, described SB1021 as an “ROTC bill” brought by an ROTC graduate who now serves as an Army officer and said the measure would grant in‑state tuition status to students who sign a military contract after completing their sophomore year and begin receiving a stipend while they finish their junior and senior years.
“The way it works is this. You aren't committed to the military until after you've finished your second year of college,” Rogers said during the committee meeting, adding that contracted cadets typically receive a small monthly stipend once on contract and that paying out‑of‑state tuition in those latter years can be a hardship for students who have committed to serve.
Committee discussion and record:
- Sam Rosenberg, assistant analyst for the committee, read the bill summary stating SB1021 expands eligibility for in‑state student classification to contracted ROTC cadets participating in an Arizona ROTC program.
- Senator Diaz asked how many students the bill would capture; Senator Rogers said he did not have an exact count but speculated about 50 students, noting the number can vary by campus and year.
- The committee asked whether there was an estimated cost to universities. Rogers said he did not have a cost estimate at hand.
- Two potential public supporters were present (a representative from Arizona Veterans and a representative from the Arizona Board of Regents), but neither spoke during the committee hearing when asked if they wished to comment.
Motion and vote:
- The vice chair moved the bill and the committee proceeded to a roll call. The committee record shows 7 ayes, 0 nos, and 0 not voting; the clerk confirmed the motion carried with a due‑pass recommendation.
What the bill would do: as presented to the committee, SB1021 would classify an individual who is a contracted ROTC cadet in an Arizona program as an in‑state student for tuition purposes for the period of their enrollment while contracted. The statutory text and fiscal impacts were not debated in detail on the record and committee staff did not provide a university cost estimate during the hearing.
Next steps: SB1021 will proceed with the committee’s due‑pass recommendation to the full Senate for further consideration.
