SB106 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Session

Regular Session 2021

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

SB106 increases survivor benefits and education support for Alabama National Guard members on state active duty and extends those benefits to their surviving dependents.

What This Bill Does

It adds a state-level death benefit of $100,000 for guardsmen killed while on state active duty, with certain exclusions for misconduct or unsafe behavior. It expands education benefits for eligible dependents of guardsmen on state active duty to five years of college or technical training (up to 45 months full-time, or the course length), with limits on tuition, books, and fees; eligibility includes dependents of those who died on state duty or who became disabled from service, and certain disabled veterans. It also ensures federal protections (SCRA and USERRA) apply to guardsmen on state active duty and provides eligible active-duty members with military differential pay and leave restoration for 30+ days of state active duty.

Who It Affects

• Alabama National Guard members on state active duty and their dependents (benefits payable if killed or injured on state duty).
• Children of guardsmen who meet the education-benefit eligibility (e.g., those of guardsmen who died on state duty or who have certain service-connected disabilities).
• Dependents of veterans with specified disability ratings (including cases where the parent is 100% disabled or 40%+ disabled) who pursue higher education at Alabama state institutions.
• Students attending Alabama state colleges, universities, or state-supported community/technical colleges who qualify for tuition, books, and fees reimbursement under the program.

Key Provisions

• Creates a state-level death benefit for Alabama National Guard members killed on state active duty, set at $100,000 with exclusions for misconduct, intoxication, or willful rule violations.
• Allows dependents of guardsmen who died on state active duty or who sustained on-duty injuries (within three years) to qualify for education benefits, including five academic years of eligibility (up to 45 months full-time) and related course work at state institutions or community/technical colleges, with initiation before age 30 and completion within eight years.
• Imposes limits on education benefits: tuition reimbursed at in-state rate (and subject to DoD Tuition Assistance caps), and books/fees capped (e.g., $1,000 per student); under certain conditions, benefit use may be restricted to undergraduate study.
• Requires that dependents’ eligibility may include those with VA disability ratings (100% or 40%+), and a specific provision allows 20–40% disabled dependents to qualify if criteria are met by specified dates.
• Defines state active duty and ensures federal protections (SCRA and USERRA) apply to members called to active duty for 30 days or more, including differential pay and restoration of leave.

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