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House approves tuition‑residency change for some veterans after amendment requiring cost study
Summary
HB291 would allow certain veterans to qualify for in‑state tuition shortly after discharge; the House adopted amendments asking the Board of Regents to report cost estimates and approved the bill 59–13 after debating definitions of discharge and residency rules.
The House passed House Bill 291 on Feb. 12, 1998, a measure to provide residency-based tuition waivers to certain veterans. Representative John W. Hickman sponsored the bill and acknowledged the Education Committee’s support; Representative Allen proposed an amendment requiring the Board of Regents to report the fiscal impact so the legislature could consider appropriate appropriations in the 1999 general session.
Debate focused on technical residency and discharge language. Members questioned whether the bill’s phrasing ("under honorable conditions" vs. "honorable discharge") broadened eligibility beyond traditional categories and whether veterans who had not previously been residents could claim in‑state rates shortly after discharge. Hickman said the intent was fairness — allowing veterans who realized they wanted to return to Utah after service to qualify for residency for tuition purposes — and to place the rule in statute so institutions follow a uniform standard.
Representatives also discussed safeguards and whether institutions already provided in‑state treatment in practice; the sponsors agreed to divide the proposed amendment and approved the first part requiring the Board of Regents review and report within a year, and the House ultimately passed the bill 59–13.
The amendment process preserved the request for the Board of Regents to estimate costs and left any appropriation decision to a future legislature.
