SB161 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Holtzclaw

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Colleges and Universities, residency for determining admission and tuition, active duty service members, spouses, dependents, and veterans considered resident students, Sec. 16-24-2 am'd.

Summary

SB161 would expand Alabama public college residency rules so active duty service members stationed in Alabama, their spouses and dependents, and certain veterans are treated as resident students for admission and tuition.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends the residency definition at public colleges and universities to include active duty military members stationed in Alabama and their spouses/dependents, Alabama National Guard members with at least two years of service, and veterans who intend to establish Alabama domicile and meet specified conditions (honorable discharge, reserve status, or service-connected disability). It also preserves existing residency categories (such as employees of the institution, graduate assistants, and continuous enrollment cases) and requires institutions to adopt rules to implement the changes. The changes take effect immediately after the governor signs the bill into law.

Who It Affects

• Active duty U.S. military members stationed in Alabama and their spouses/dependents would be considered resident students for admission and tuition purposes.
• Certain veterans who intend to establish domicile in Alabama and meet specified criteria (honorable discharge, reserve status, or service-connected disability) and Alabama National Guard members with at least two years of service (and who continue to serve) would be considered resident students for admission and tuition.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-24-2 to expand who qualifies as a resident student for admission and tuition at public colleges and universities in Alabama.
• Adds active duty military members stationed in Alabama and their spouses/dependents, as well as Alabama National Guard members with at least two years of service (and who continue to serve), to the resident-student category.
• Adds veterans who intend to establish domicile in Alabama and meet specific conditions (honorable discharge within one year of enrollment, current reserve status, or service-connected disability) to the resident-student category.
• Retains and aligns with existing categories such as full-time institutional employment or spouse employment, graduate assistants, consular staff, and students previously classified as residents with continuous enrollment.
• Requires boards of trustees to adopt rules and guidelines to implement the amended residency provisions.
• Effective immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Colleges and Universities