H.B. 177 ROTC Resident Student Status: transcript

Thank you Mr. Chair. Welcome to Our committee. Thank you so much. So, um, house Bill 1 77 is a fairly simple bill. And just for a little bit of background, um, for over the last couple of years, we've extended in-state tuition to our active duty military members, to their spouses, and also to DOD employees. Um, I had a, a, a friend and a constituent who works at Weber State, who's over their ROTC program. And he reached out wondering if we could extend in-state tuition to our ROTC cadets. Um, the university would use this both as a recruiting tool and as an effort to help some of our, um, new cadets in the ROTC program. So the bill basically says if you're eligible to, um, enlist in the military, you would be eligible for this scholarship to get in-state tuition. And that's it. It's a very simple bill, and I would appreciate your support. Happy to answer any questions.

Um, Yes, but I believe that it was adopted in committee. Okay. Amendment two. Okay. Uh, there may be a second amendment because there was a, in an institutional it looks like there was a, a grammatical correction. Yes. Okay. Sorry, it's been a minute since I looked at this call.

Yeah. Um, this says that ROTC participant, um, I guess is eligible. I was confused by your presentation. 'cause you said anyone who is eligible to be in the military would get this discount. And I think that includes practically everyone, but you're saying ROTC students who are eligible to serve In military ROTC students who would be eligible to enlist in the military.

I can expand on the reason why that language was included, if you'd like me to.

Okay. Then my only suggestion is it looks like you've got a double is, uh, I think that's just a drafting error on line 41. Um, I don't know, maybe not your drafting attorneys no more than I do. I'm clear on what you're trying to do now. Thanks.

I wanted to thank the sponsor for this bill. Our ROTC students are making a profound commitment to serve our nation. And it's only right that Utah meets that commitment by welcoming, welcoming them as their own, and ensuring that the cost of their education reflects the value that we place on their future service. Thank you.

I appreciate that. Thank you.

So let me, let me ask a question. I'm curious about, so if, if someone from out of state came in and, uh, let's say they were going to school and then they decide, oh, this tuition's too high, so I'm gonna join ROTC so I can get my fee waived, is that, is that something that can happen under this bill?

Um, I mean, they would have to enroll as an ROTC cadet, and then there are some requirements that they would have to meet to be that, to be in the program and to be a cadet. Um, yes,

But there's no commitment afterwards No.

For them to enroll in the military. Right, Right. But what we're finding is that the students that commit to ROTC or doing that intentionally, I don't think that they would be doing that to get a, they're doing it because they want to be in the ROTC program. They see that as a path to their future. Having been to several of the commissioning ceremonies at Weaver State, it's a great program. This just gives, um, the program some opportunities to recruit to some of our neighboring states. It's been really successful in other states. Arizona does this. Texas does this. Um, I think Missouri is one of the other states that also offer in-state tuition. It, it's just a recognition like, um, Senator Baldry mentioned of their, of their desire to serve our nation and to be part of that pipeline to, to military.

Thank you Mr. Chair. I'd like to send HB 1 77 ROTC resident student status out with a favorable recommendation. There is an amendment too. So as amended, let's go. We might have to do the amendment, the amendment first. We need to Withdraw that motion to withdraw That. And then we'll do amendment Two. Okay. So withdraw that and then make a motion to, uh, adopt amendment two. Thank you. I'd like to amend the motion that I just had. No, I'm sorry. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to, uh, adopt the amendment. Okay. So the motion is to adopt amendment two on HB 1 77.

Thank you. I would like to send HB 1 77 ROT resident student status out with as amended as without, with a favorable recommendation. Okay. So the motion is to send out P 1 77 as amendment with amendment as, amendment as amended with amendment two with a favorable recommendation.

I, I, I appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you Mr. Chair. This bill is actually a bill that came to me. Um, I serve in at Weber State on the, on their advisory board for the College of Social Sciences and Education. And they have an amazing ROTC program there. I've been to several commissioning ceremonies at the university and in recent years we have extended in instate tuition to DOD civilians, military, and actually even military and I believe DOD spouses. But there has been one segment that's been left out of that. And that is our ROTC cadets. So the university came to me and said, as a recruiting tool, it would be really amazing if we could offer in-state tuition to some of our neighboring states to our ROTC cadets. And that is what the bill does. There is an amendment online and that amendment just states that, um, the cadets would need to be eligible for enlisting in our, in the military. Um, and with that I am open to questions. Alright. I've got a couple of questions for members of the committee.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So when you say enlist in the branch of the military, does that mean that they have to be contracted, so be a third year or they're only a first year?

No, we, we wanted them to be eligible to enlist because there are some differences between first and second year and third and fourth year ROTC cadets. So I had someone reach out with a question about legal status of, of potential students and in an effort to make sure that people were eligible to serve. That's why we put that clarification in there. And then under the current system, um, a student that comes to Utah, if they register to be, uh, a resident, so if they switch their driver's license, they get voter, um, the next year they're actually a, a resident student here.

Are you requiring that they do those things so that the in-state, really the OUTTA state waiver is only just the first year?

I don't believe that there's a requirement to do that, but I would be happy to evaluate that.

Yeah, I'd like you to look at that possibly as an amendment later. I think that would be a friendly amendment.

Just a quick question. Are I just wanna make sure I understand the lay of the land. These would all be US citizens though, just from other states, correct?

That's why the clarification on someone who is eligible to enlist. Yes.

Thank you. And, and my question is actually pretty similar on the contracted status. So they, they just need to enroll in ROTC, they don't have to actually be in a contracted status with ROTC that, that they're going to enlist in a, in a branch of the military. They, they just need to enroll in ROTC to qualify?

Yes, yes. And typically those I I can, I can speculate. A lot of kids that enroll in RRTC, that's their path and they, they move forward. I don't have the exact numbers. Most of the, I think signatures happen at a later date when they actually enlist year three. Year three and then year four. Right. So they could do two years of ROTC and still, um, get resident status then, uh, as enlisted or as enrolled at their first two years. So the way the bill is written, they have to be eligible to enlist. So if they didn't have legal status, they would not be eligible to enlist. And that would, that would disqualify someone with illegal status, if that's what you're asking.

I, I guess, and maybe I can talk to Representative Peterson about this clarification on the side. Maybe I'll do that right now. Okay, thanks.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, and, and sorry if I missed this. So anyone of these students who qualify from out of state can come here and get in-state tuition if they enroll in ROTC, so they're not connected to any parents who have gotten the residency and, and different things that we've given them. I just wanna clarify that I'm understanding that. Right. And then also asking if that is the case, um, what is the benefit for Utah to do that?

I, I, I, so the, the benefit is that this can be a recruiting tool with surrounding states to bring ROTC cadets here to our programs. Um, and then in terms of, I'm not sure what she's asking about their par parental state. If they're out of state students, if they're eligible to enlist in the military, which would mean they have legal status, then they would be eligible for the scholarship.

They're, so if an out-of-state resident comes to Utah, enrolls in ROTC, then they would get in-state tuition. Right. That is the full aim of the goal of the bill. Yes.

Uh, no, that answers it. Thank you. Okay.

I apologize. Good afternoon. Can you hear me and see me?

Okay, great. Thank you. Chair Walter, members of the committee. Uh, thank you again. My name is Major Dave Flores. I'm representing the Army ROTC program, uh, here at Weber State. Uh, just to comment, uh, as Representative Koford said, support of this bill is gonna aid in the recruiting and and retention of the students that are participating in ROTC. Uh, therefore it's gonna mitigate any additional out-of-pocket costs that are incurred by the students due to any potential reductions in scholarships at the Department of Army of level. So we just wanted to get that on record. Uh, penny, any questions? Thank you for your time.

I'd like to reserve the right to make a motion. Alright. Can I, can I ask a, another follow up question? You may. Um, just that I understand the goal, what is the goal overall of this bill? Can you just, like, what is the desired outcome we're seeking here?

I think the desired outcome is to recognize our ROTC cadets in the same manner that we recognize our military and DOD and those who are willing to serve our country. And we give them an opportunity to get in-state tuition as we do that. A secondary goal would be it, it will be a great recruiting tool for our universities to bring students here to participate both in our OTC where they will let most likely enter the military and continue their education here in Utah.

And if I may ask last follow up, I promise you may. Um, how would you feel about, and, and perhaps this is a discussion that needs to continue forward with adjusting the enrollment language to contract contracted language simply because there is a potential loophole here. You can enroll for two years of RO two C and, and then just walk away, but still get in-state tuition. Whereas once you're contracted, they're already gonna be paying for that, um, education piece. So I realized that that would impact the, the, um, the goal of increasing recruitment, possibly in a negative way, but also possibly close a loophole. But it depends on where the priority goals are, is. If it's on the recruitment side, then perhaps we keep it, if it's on the, um, closing the loophole side, then perhaps we change it. I'm only interested in, I guess, knowing is what your temperature is to that potential amendment. And, uh, and it's something that I'm willing to discuss with you as this moves along. But I wanted to feel what your thoughts were on this.

My initial reaction is I don't love it, but I would be happy to discuss it further with you and, and work on it to see if we could come to a compromise.

Okay. But I'll yield my time. Alright.

I, I would love to adopt the amendment.

I'll waive To the sponsor.

The amendment just clarifies that the, the ROTC cadets must be eligible to enlist in a branch of the military. That's what the amendment does. So it's pretty simple and straightforward.

I'll waive. Alright.

Yes, I move that we recommend favorably house bill 1 77 as amended. Alright,

Thank you. Um, I wanna explain my vote. I am gonna be a no on this because I do feel like that the loophole actually potentially hurts the universities or the colleges or wherever they are as far as tuition. And it also seems like it could potentially be pretty easily manipulated. I do like the spirit behind this though, and the heart of honoring people who are willing to, you know, get into protection and military service and go in that direction. I love the ROTC. I just feel like this isn't quite there yet. It's not ready to, anyway. I don't like the loophole. Simon A no, but thank you for bringing it forward.

No, I thi I, I appreciate you looking at this. I think it's an important step to, um, recognize the good work of our OTC participants and what they're willing to, to sacrifice in their lives going forward. I appreciate your support. Alright,

Yeah, I thank you for bringing this forward. I really appreciate the bill. Um, I have had feedback from institutions that there are, there are things that we can do to encourage people to enroll in our schools. And I think that this is an opportunity for us to help enrollment and to support, um, those who are in the military and who are serving. So thank you for bringing it forward.

House bill 1 77 ROTC, resident student status by Representative Koford. This bill was heard in education with a vote of 1221.

Thank you Mr. Speaker. Um, colleagues, this bill came to me from, um, a constituent at Weaver State University. He's the advisor for the ROTC program. And in recent years, as part of our recognition for the great support that our military and our defense families provide to our state, we've extended outta state tuition to those families. What we noticed and what my good college, what my good constituent at we were state noticed is that we weren't giving in state tuition to our ROTC cadets. This bill has the support of YI and obviously the support of my university Weber State to extend in-state tuition to our ROTC cadets. And that's simply what the bill does. With that, I would ask for your support and I'm open to questions.

for summation I'll waive summation has been wad voting.

Millner, Thank you very much Mr. President Proti. Uh, what this bill does is say for students that are enrolled in ROTC in one of our state programs, whether they're from in-state or outta state, they would qualify for in-state tuition. We wanna facilitate them participating in getting their college education, but I going into service for this country. Um, with that, I'm open to questions.

Senator Millner, thank You very much Mr. President Pro Tem. What this bill does is allow, uh, our institutions to give in-state scholarships to all students that are participating in ROTC programs. Um, we need the next generation to serve this country and this helps facilitate not only their education but their ability to serve. With that, I'm open to questions

Senator Vickers. Baldy. Aye. Lewin Brammer Bus Comore Escamia Fillmore Aye. Grover Harper Kinins. Aye. Ipson Johnson. Aye. Juab McKay Mikel Milner Musselman Owens Pitcher Plum Rebe Sandal Stevenson Stratton Bickers Weiler Wilson. Aye. Winterton, president Adams

Board. Madam Reading Clerk House Bill 1 77 ROTC, resident student status by Representative Koford.

Absolutely. There was just a small, um, one word change that needed to be made, um, to clarify.