HB33 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe LovvornRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

National Guard benefits, increase survivor and education benefits, Secs. 31-3-2, 31-6-4, 31-12-1, 31-12-2 am'd.

Summary

HB 33 would expand survivor and education benefits for Alabama National Guardsmen on state active duty and increase the death benefit for their surviving dependents.

What This Bill Does

It broadens eligibility for state and federal survivor and education benefits to National Guardsmen on state active duty for periods shorter than 30 days. It increases the compensation for surviving dependents of Guardsmen from $10,000 to $100,000, paid from the State Treasury. It extends education benefits to eligible children and dependents of Guardsmen who died or were disabled while on state active duty, including up to five academic years (not to exceed 45 months) of college or technical training, with tuition reimbursement at in-state rates and caps on books/fees; training must begin before age 30 and be completed within eight years (with certain delays allowed), and benefits are limited to state, not federal, duty.

Who It Affects

• Alabama National Guardsmen on state active duty (including activations shorter than 30 days) who would gain eligibility for expanded survivor and education benefits.
• Surviving dependents of Guardsmen (such as spouses and children) who would receive higher death benefits and access expanded education benefits for those killed or disabled while on state active duty.

Key Provisions

• Raises the survivor death benefit for Alabama National Guardsmen on state active duty from $10,000 to $100,000, payable from the State Treasury, with certain disqualifications for misconduct or safety violations.
• Expands eligibility for education benefits to Guardsmen on state active duty for periods shorter than 30 days and extends education benefits to their surviving dependents, including five standard academic years (up to 45 months) of higher education, with partial-month considerations and the option to use community/technical colleges for remaining time.
• Tuition and books/fees reimbursement rules apply: in-state tuition at applicable Alabama institutions; books/fees reimbursed up to $1,000 per student; benefits follow DoD Tuition Assistance caps for tuition per semester hour; training must start before age 30 and be completed within eight years (delays from military service allowed; benefits end by the 38th birthday).
• Defines state active duty and related terms for purposes of benefits, clarifying that benefits related to state active duty are distinct from federal duty status and ensuring applicability of SCRA/USERRA protections where applicable.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Military