The bill amends the Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance Act to enhance educational support for members of the Kansas National Guard by allowing them to transfer unused tuition assistance benefits to eligible dependents. It expands the Kansas National Guard Educational Master's for Enhanced Readiness and Global Excellence (EMERGE) program to include doctoral and professional degrees, thereby broadening the educational opportunities available. Key changes include the deletion of the requirement for guard members to be enrolled at a Kansas educational institution and the insertion of provisions to include not-for-profit independent institutions of higher education. The bill also updates definitions related to eligible educational institutions and guard members, modifies eligibility criteria, and establishes a repayment mechanism for those who do not fulfill their service obligations after receiving assistance.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the process for submitting requests for waivers from recoupment, requiring written requests to be submitted through the member's chain of command to the Kansas National Guard Education Services Office. The chief of staff of the Kansas Army National Guard or the director of staff for the Kansas Air National Guard will review these requests and have the authority to issue waivers as appropriate. Additionally, the bill repeals several sections of existing law, streamlining the legal framework governing educational assistance for guard members. The act will take effect upon its publication in the statute book.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 74-32
As Amended by House Committee: 74-32