This bill proposes several updates to the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding the national guard's postsecondary education reimbursement program. It changes the eligibility criteria to include not only qualified members of the national guard but also their spouses, legal dependents, and employees of the department of emergency and military affairs. The reimbursement cap is increased to $10,000 per fiscal year per applicant, which can cover in-state tuition, mandatory fees, and an additional $1,000 for textbooks and materials. The bill also introduces a new priority system for reimbursements if funds are insufficient, prioritizing active national guard members first, followed by their spouses and dependents, and then employees of the department.

Additionally, the bill establishes a forgiveness program for eligible applicants who complete a degree or program and maintain good standing in the national guard for ten years, allowing for accelerated or full forgiveness of unreimbursed costs. The adjutant general is tasked with creating procedures to track service commitments and report on the number of applicants qualifying for forgiveness, including the total amount forgiven and its impact on retention rates. The act may be cited as the "Arizona National Guard Education Enhancement Act."

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 26-102, 26-181, 26-153, 41-1825, 26-152