The proposed bill, SB1040, mandates that the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) must exempt students from paying student activity fees if such payments would conflict with their conscience or if they meet specific criteria. These criteria include being a veteran who has recently returned from service, being newly married or a parent who does not participate in student activities, objecting to the fees on religious or moral grounds, demonstrating financial hardship, or being a part-time student. The bill also defines "student activity fees" as any fees charged by public universities to support student expression and activities.

In contrast to current law, which does not provide for such exemptions, the new bill introduces specific circumstances under which students can be exempted from these fees. Additionally, it clarifies the definition of student activity fees and emphasizes the need for ABOR to adopt rules that align with these new provisions. The bill is designed to ensure that students who have valid reasons for not wanting to pay these fees are accommodated, thereby promoting fairness and consideration of individual circumstances.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-1626