Committee renews STRONG Act tuition benefit for Tennessee National Guard members

The House Education Full Committee on an unspecified date approved House Bill 114, renewing the STRONG Act tuition benefit program for Tennessee National Guard members. The committee voted 18-0 to send the bill forward after adopting a clarifying amendment.

The amendment, labeled 3,428, specifies that the Department of Military shall pay 100% of the maximum in‑state tuition as a last‑dollar reimbursement and clarifies the definition of mandatory fees. "What the amendment did, it just made it very clear in the bill text that the Department of Military shall pay 100% of the maximum resident in state tuition," said Representative Moon, the bill's sponsor.

The bill as explained to the committee would extend a program that was set to sunset June 30 of this year, and it has been included in the governor's budget with an approximate allocation of $4,000,000. The bill also increases the credit‑hour cap for a bachelor's degree from 120 to 130, reduces the time a member has to request tuition reimbursement from 90 days to 45 days, and allows the Department of Military to set an annual cap on mandatory fees.

Committee members asked for clarification about the funding source. "There was a question in my mind if it's at the federal level… But the fact that it comes from the state gives me the clarity I need," said President Hakim during the floor discussion.

After debate and the amendment's adoption, the clerk reported an 18‑0 vote in favor of the bill. House Bill 114 moves out of committee with the amendment and will proceed through the legislative process.

The bill's next steps were not specified during the meeting.