House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for HB2541 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Amendments to the Kansas National Guard educational assistance act.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 15, 2018
Chairperson Baumgardner called the hearing on HB2541 to order.
Nick Myers, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, presented a memorandum on HB2541. Mr. Myers noted that the bill amends the Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance Act, which provides financial assistance to national guard members enrolled in a Kansas college or university. Chairperson Baumgardner noted that there is no fiscal effect. (Attachment 8)
Major Dana W. Graf presented proponent testimony on behalf of Major General Tafanelli. Major Graf noted from his testimony that there is a declining percentage of the population that is both able and willing to serve; recent analysis indicates that only about 27% of individuals age 18-24 are eligible to service and less than 1% of youth have a propensity to serve in the National Guard without also being interested in another active or reserve component. (Attachment 9)
Chief Master Sargent Troy Abel presented proponent testimony. He is the President Elect of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Kansas (EANGKS). Chief Master Sargent Abel noted that there are thousands of guardsmen who have used State Tuition Assistance within the Kansas National Guard; many of them joined the guard for that reason alone. He discussed what a critical recruiting tool tuition assistance is, and an investment in the members of the Kansas National Guard as well as safety and security of the State of Kansas. (Attachment 10)
The Committee asked clarifying questions.
Written testimony was provided. (Attachment 11) (Attachment 12) (Attachment 13) (Attachment 14)
Senator Hensley motioned to pass out HB2451 favorably and place on the consent calendar, and Senator Taylor seconded. The motion passed.
