SB21 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Veterans, education benefits, qualifications altered, Sec. 31-6-11 am'd.

Summary

SB21 would expand Alabama veterans' education benefits by requiring five years of residency before applying and by extending eligibility to spouses and children of veterans with five years of residency or who were residents at the time of the veteran's death.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the eligibility rules for veterans' education benefits to require a five-year Alabama residency before applying. It also opens eligibility to spouses and children of any veteran who has five years of Alabama residency before applying, or who were residents immediately prior to the veteran's death. Proof requirements for residency and service continue to apply, and the act becomes effective a few months after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects

• Veterans who have been Alabama residents for five years prior to applying for education benefits will be eligible (expands beyond the previous one-year requirement).
• Spouses and children of any veteran will be eligible if the veteran has five years of Alabama residency before applying, or if the veteran was a resident immediately prior to death.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 31-6-11 to allow a veteran with at least five years of Alabama residency prior to application to receive education benefits.
• Extends eligibility to the spouse or child of any veteran who has five years of Alabama residency prior to application, or who was a resident immediately prior to the veteran's death.
• Maintains the need for proof of residency, identification, and honorable discharge (or acceptable proof if discharged for service-connected disability) as part of eligibility.
• States the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Veterans