HB 2257: Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Act; providing for review of certain fees; authorizing establishment of certain cap; modifying retention eligibility; emergency. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to transition from a House version to a Senate version, incorporating committee amendments that clarify definitions, adjust credit hour limits, and modify eligibility requirements for the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program. These changes aim to standardize program administration and ensure clearer guidelines for eligible service members.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program, but the Senate amendments refine how the program is structured and administered.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'graduate program' and 'program' to clarify what constitutes undergraduate versus graduate educational assistance.

FISCAL

Adjusted credit hour limits for assistance: undergraduate programs capped at 120 hours, graduate programs capped at 40 hours for master's degrees.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility requirements to include a minimum 2.0 GPA, requirement to maintain a Military Occupational Specialty after the first semester, and a 24-month active service commitment after receiving assistance.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for applicants to submit applications through the Military Department's Educational Service Office and for commanders to confirm member eligibility.

ENFORCEMENT

Established repayment obligations for members who fail to meet specific eligibility requirements, such as maintaining good academic standing or service participation.

TECHNICAL

Changed document headers and session information to reflect Senate floor version with April 22, 2025 date and committee amendment notation.

Enrolled (final version) → Floor (House) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reformatted from an enrolled version to a floor version, with minor text adjustments and formatting changes. The substantive policy content remains largely the same, though some fee language was simplified and a few eligibility requirements were slightly reworded.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; changes are primarily formatting and minor text refinements.

TECHNICAL

The bill title and header were changed from 'Enrolled House' to 'House of Representatives - Floor Version', indicating this is the version as presented on the House floor rather than the final enrolled version.

The act's summary was shortened slightly, removing 'approved program fees and other fees' and 'requiring certain specialty to retain eligibility' from the descriptive text, though these requirements remain in the actual bill text.

Minor formatting changes were made throughout the document, including line breaks, spacing, and page numbering, to conform to House floor version standards.

Some fee language was simplified in the summary section, removing specific references to 'academic service fees' and 'other fees' from the descriptive text, though these remain in the operative provisions.

REQUIREMENT

The repayment calculation language was slightly reworded in the floor version, though the mathematical formula and requirements remain substantively the same.

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 3 edits · May 22, 2025

MINOR

The bill was finalized from its engrossed version to enrolled status with minor formatting changes and a more detailed description of the act's purpose. The substantive policy content remains unchanged, including eligibility requirements, benefit amounts, and repayment provisions for the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Act.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting and layout adjustments were made to finalize the bill text for official enactment, including repositioning page headers and adjusting spacing.

The act's description in the title was expanded to include additional details about fee approval, caps, regulations, and emergency declaration, though these were already referenced in the original engrossed version.

Page numbering and section headers were adjusted to reflect the final enrolled version of the legislation.

Amended And Engrossed → Engrossed · 7 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify eligibility requirements, add service commitment obligations, establish GPA and academic progress standards, introduce a service retention requirement after graduation, and add an emergency provision for immediate implementation. These changes strengthen program accountability and ensure Guard members maintain both academic and military performance standards.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include specific service commitment requirements and post-graduation service obligations for National Guard members receiving educational assistance.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for eligible Guard members to agree in writing to serve actively for at least 24 months after completing the last semester of assistance.

Added requirement to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from November to July.

DEFINITION

Added specific requirements for Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) possession after first semester.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions for repayment of assistance if service requirements are not met, calculated as monthly installments.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility language to clarify participation limits per semester per program.

TECHNICAL

Added emergency provision declaring immediate necessity for public peace, health, or safety.

Introduced → Amended And Engrossed · 5 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was amended to update its legal citations, clarify who can receive assistance, adjust program caps, and change the effective date. The changes ensure the law aligns with current Oklahoma statutes and provides clearer rules for National Guard members seeking educational support.

Scope change

The bill now references updated Oklahoma Statutes (O.S.L. 2022) instead of older citations, and clarifies that assistance applies to eligible Guard members allowed to participate per semester per undergraduate or graduate program.

TECHNICAL

Updated legal citations from O.S. 2021 to O.S.L. 2022 and O.S. Supp. 2024 to reflect current statutory references.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that assistance is for eligible Guard members allowed to participate per semester per undergraduate or graduate program.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded program cap options to include levels 4 or 5 in addition to level 3.

Added an emergency clause to allow immediate implementation of the bill.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from November 1 to July 1.

Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Act; providing for review of certain fees; authorizing establishment of certain cap; modifying retention eligibility; emergency.

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