House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise laws related to tuition waivers for American Indian students by amending Section 20-25-421 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). The bill removes the requirement that eligible individuals must have "one-fourth Indian blood or more" and instead allows waivers for "enrolled members or descendants of a federally recognized Indian tribe" located within Montana, provided they have been bona fide residents of the state for at least one year prior to enrollment. Additionally, the bill stipulates that a formal process for certification of descendancy must be adopted by the tribe, and a copy of the certificate must be submitted to the Montana university system by the waiver applicant.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for notifying tribal governments by requiring the Secretary of State to send a copy of the act to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. This legislation aims to enhance access to higher education for American Indian students and their descendants, thereby promoting educational equity within the state.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-25-421
HB0282_1(1): 20-25-421
HB0282_1(2): 20-25-421
HB0282_1(3): 20-25-421
HB0282_1(4): 20-25-421
HB0282_1(5): 20-25-421
HB0282_1(6): 20-25-421
HB0282_1: 20-25-421