Higher education; waiver of tuition and fees for permanently disabled veterans; effective date; emergency.

HB 3956 waives tuition and fees at Oklahoma public colleges and universities for veterans who were honorably discharged and certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with a 100% permanent disability directly related to military service (including injury, accident, or disease incurred during active duty). The bill requires VA certification of the disability as the sole eligibility criterion. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and is designated as an emergency measure. This policy change directly affects qualifying veterans seeking higher education within Oklahoma's public system, removing financial barriers for this specific group.