SB85 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Bryan Taylor
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Rusty Glover Del Marsh Clay Scofield J.T. Waggoner Bill Hightower Tom Whatley Jerry L. Fielding Jimmy Holley Gerald O. Dial Greg J. Reed Phillip W. Williams
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Veterans benefits, dependents, postsecondary education, scholarships, requirement for veteran's service to have been during war or hazardous duty, limited to undergraduate study, deleted, Sec. 31-6-11 am'd.
Summary: SB85 changes Alabama veterans’ education benefits by removing the wartime/extrahazardous service requirement for first-time dependents starting Fall 2014-2015, letting some previously denied applicants re-qualify, and capping new benefits to undergraduate study and in-state tuition.
What This Bill Does
First-time dependent applicants starting Fall 2014-2015 no longer must show the veteran served in wartime or under extrahazardous conditions. If a dependent was previously denied because of that service requirement, they can receive the full benefits they would have been entitled to if approved earlier, by reapplying. For new recipients, benefits are limited to undergraduate programs and the in-state tuition rate; the bill also keeps existing rules for spouses and children of disabled veterans (up to 5 years/45 months, with an 8-year completion window and one program change), and requires funding reimbursements to institutions for waived tuition and fees.

Who It Affects
Dependents (children, spouses, widows/widowers) of veterans who seek educational benefits for the first time beginning Fall 2014-2015.
Dependents who were previously denied benefits due to the veteran not meeting wartime/extrahazardous service criteria, who may reapply and receive the benefits they would have been entitled to.

Key Provisions
Removes the wartime/extrahazardous service requirement for first-time dependent applicants beginning with Fall 2014-2015.
Allows dependents denied benefits under the old service rule to receive the full benefits they would have been entitled to if approved earlier, by reapplying with extended eligibility.
For new recipients beginning Fall 2014-2015, restricts benefits to undergraduate study and caps the value to the in-state tuition rate of the attended institution.
Maintains existing education benefits for spouses and children of disabled veterans, including up to 5 standard academic years (45 months) of free instruction, with an 8-year completion window and one program change allowed; start must occur before specified ages.
Requires reimbursement of waived tuition and fees to state institutions from the Education Trust Fund, based on certified invoicing.
Effective date: immediate 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: Education Trust Fund