An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Strengthen and Align the Services Provided to Maine's Veterans by Requiring the University of Maine System To Provide Supportive Services to Student-veterans
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1625
Committee Amendment CA_A-HA_A_H615 (House)
Amends: 37-B MRSA §152, 37-B MRSA §154, 37-B MRSA §155, 37-B MRSA §352, 37-B MRSA §353, 37-B MRSA §354, 37-B MRSA §355, 37-B MRSA §356, 37-B MRSA §357, 37-B MRSA §358

HOUSE AMENDMENT"/)" to COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 1104, 
L.D. 1625, Bill, "An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To 
Strengthen and Align the Services Provided to Maine's Veterans by Requiring the 
University of Maine System To Provide Supportive Services to Student-veterans" 
Amend the amendment by striking out the substitute title and replacing it with the 
following: 
'An Act To Increase Access to Postsecondary Education for Maine National Guard 
Members and Veterans' 
Amend the amendment by striking out everything after the substitute title and 
inserting the following: 
'Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
PART A 
Sec. A-1. Identify potential inefficiencies and propose improvements to 
veterans' services. 
The University of Maine System and the Maine Community 
College System, for their respective campuses and in consultation with the Department of 
Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services, 
shall each: 
1. Identify the needs of student-veterans and potential student-veterans attempting to 
achieve a postsecondary education to degree completion, including but not limited to 
their ability to gain admission to the University of Maine System or the Maine 
Community College System, successfully meet the requirements of a course of study, 
successfully transition to civilian life in a supportive educational environment, obtain 
available federal veterans' benefits and successfully meet personal and financial 
obligations; 
2. Identify existing services specifically for student-veterans and other services 
available to student-veterans on each campus that meet the needs identified in subsection 
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3. Assess the effectiveness in meeting the needs identified in subsection 1 of existing 
services specifically for student-veterans and other services available to student-veterans 
on each campus; 
4. Determine what services are not currently being offered that, if offered, would 
meet the needs identified in subsection 1; and 
5. Propose services and solutions that fulfill the needs identified in subsection 1 on 
each campus or across campuses that are based upon best practices in postsecondary 
educational institutions within the State and nationwide. 
Sec. A-2. Report. By January 15, 2017, the University of Maine System and the 
Maine Community College System shall each submit a report of its findings and 
proposals under section 1 to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs and veterans and legal affairs. Each joint 
standing committee is authorized to introduce a bill to the First Regular Session of the 
128th Legislature related to the subject matter of the reports. 
PARTB 
Sec. B-1. 37-B MRSA §152, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2003, c. 488, §1 and 
affected by §5, is further amended to read: 
2. Rental proceeds. Except as provided in section m 353-A, rental proceeds from 
the rental of armories under this section must be paid into the State Treasury and credited 
to the Armory Rental Fund to be used for operation and maintenance expenses at the 
various state-owned facilities of the Military Bureau. Rental proceeds credited to the 
Armory Rental Fund are in addition to the appropriations made for operation and 
maintenance expenses included for that purpose in the Military Fund. 
Sec. B-2. 37-B MRSA §154, as amended by PL 2013, c. 469, §2, is further 
amended to read: 
§154. Capital Repair, Maintenance, Construction and Acquisition Account 
Except as provided in section m 353-A, the Capital Repair, Maintenance, 
Construction and Acquisition Account is established in the Military Bureau as a 
nonlapsing fund to assist in defraying the capital repair, maintenance and construction of 
state-owned properties of the Military Bureau, as well as purchasing land for training 
sites. 
The bureau may not spend $500,000 or more for any single capital repair, 
maintenance or construction project or land acquisition unless that expenditure is 
approved in advance by the Legislature. Not later than January 1st of each odd-numbered 
year, the bureau shall submit a list to the Legislature that identifies the location, nature 
and cost of each planned capital repair, maintenance and construction project and land 
acquisition costing less than $500,000. 
Sec. B-3. 37-B MRSA §155, as amended by PL 2003, c. 488, §3 and affected by 
§5, is further amended to read: 
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§155. Reimbursement fund 
The Maine National Guard may provide services in accordance with section 181-A, 
subsections 4 and 5 and section 183 for federal, state, county, regional and municipal 
governments and agencies and nongovernmental entities and may charge for those 
services. Except as provided in section ;£. 353-A, the fees collected must first be 
allocated for funding the cost of providing those services, and any remaining fees may be 
expended only within the Military Bureau. 
Sec. B-4. 37-B MRSA §352, sub-§§4 to 7, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 488, §4 
and affected by §5, are amended to read: 
4. 
State postsecondary education institution. 
"State postsecondary education 
institution" means the University of Maine System, the Maine Maritime Academy, the 
Maine Teelmieal Community College System or any other college or university system 
established as a public instrumentality of this State. 
5. Tuition. "Tuition" means the total semester, trimester, quarter or term or credit 
hour cost of instruction to the student as periodically published in the catalog of a state 
postsecondary education institution, inelHding ffla.ildatery fees and lab fees aHt excluding 
all mandatory fees and lab fees and other expenses such as book charges, room and 
board. 
6. Tuition benefit. "Tuition benefit" means tuition provided by the Maine National 
Guard using either state or federal funds or waivers of tuition from a state postsecondary 
education institution. 
7. Unsatisfactory participant. "Unsatisfactory participant" means a member who 
has accumulated 9 or more unexcused absences from unit training assemblies or who 
within a 12-month period, without proper authorization, fails to attend or complete the 
entire period of annual training. 
Sec. B-5. 37-B MRSA §353, as amended by PL 2013, c. 469, §5, is repealed. 
Sec. B-6. 37-B MRSA §§353-A, 353-B and 353-C are enacted to read: 
§353-A. Maine National Guard Postsecondary Fund 
The Maine National Guard Postsecondary Fund, referred to in this section as "the 
fund," is established in the Military Bureau as a nonlapsing account in the General Fund 
to provide tuition benefits for eligible Maine National Guard members to state 
postsecondary education institutions. Deposits to the fund may come from sources 
including but not limited to: the Armory Rental Fund established in section 152; the 
Capital Repair, Maintenance, Construction and Acquisition Account established in 
section 154; the reimbursement fund established in section 155; revenue generated from 
the Maine Military Authority; and rental income fees under Title 5, section 1742, 
7 
subsection 26, paragraph B. The Adjutant General is responsible for oversight and 
allocation of these funds in accordance with this subchapter. The Adjutant General shall 
provide a report to the Commissioner of Education on the first day of January each 
calendar year accounting for the use of all funds in the fund. 
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§353-B. Tuition benefit for member 
A member who meets the prerequisites of section 354 is entitled to a 100% tuition 
benefit at a state postsecondary education institution. The benefit applies to tuition for a 
member enrolled or accepted for admission to a state postsecondary education institution 
on a full-time or part-time basis. To be eligible for the benefit. a member must be enrolled 
full time or part time at a state postsecondary education institution. The benefit may be 
used to earn one credential at the following levels: baccalaureate. associate or certificate 
and licensure. The benefit must be reduced by any other tuition assistance received by a 
member not related to housing costs or non-tuition expenses. 
§353-C. Waiver required 
If the cost of providing the tuition benefit under this subchapter exceeds the amount 
of money available in the Maine National Guard Postsecondary Fund established in 
section 353-A, the tuition benefit must be provided in the form of a tuition waiver 
provided by the state postsecondary education institution. 
Sec. B-7. 37-B MRSA §354, sub-§§2 and 3, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 488, §4 
and affected by §5, are amended to read: 
2. Participant. Be a satisfactory participant in the Maine National Guard who has 
not previously earned a bachelor's degree or equivalent and be a member in good standing 
of the Maine National Guard at the beginning of and throughout the entire semester for 
which the member receives benefits; aaa 
3. Contractual commitment. Enter into a written contractual commitment with the 
Maine National Guard to serve in the Maine National Guard for at least one year beyond 
the end of the term for which a tuition benefit is granted~; and 
Sec. B-8. 37-B MRSA §354, sub-§4 is enacted to read: 
4. Pursued all other benefits available. Have applied for all available tuition 
benefits not related to housing costs or non-tuition expenses, including but not limited to: 
A. Federally funded military tuition assistance; 
B. Employer tuition reimbursements or assistance; and 
C. Federal grants. such as a Federal Pell Grant. 
Sec. B-9. 37-B MRSA §355, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 488, §4 and affected by 
§5, is amended to read: 
§355. Cessation of tuition benefit 
The tuition benefit granted under this subchapter for a member ceases upon: 
1. Credit hours. Accumulation of MG 130 credit hours or the equivalent of the 
tuition benefit as provided in this subchapter when the benefit is used in part or in whole; 
2. Unsatisfactory participation. Unsatisfactory participation in the Maine National 
Guard as certified to the state postsecondary education institution er re1?10Rall11 assreaited 
Rrivate selleece or Hniversitv by the Adjutant General; 0f 
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3. Good academic standing. Failure by the member to maintain good academic 
standing and a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale at the state 
postsecondary education institution or regionally aeeredited private eollege or um,•ersity.~ 
or 
4. Restitution plan. Imposition of a plan for the member to pay restitution of tuition 
benefits in accordance with this subchapter. 
Sec. B-10. 37-B MRSA §356, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 488, §4 and 
affected by §5, is amended to read: 
2. Repay tuition. If the member becomes an unsatisfactory participant or does not 
remain in good academic standing with the state postsecondary education institution er 
regionally aeeredited priYate eollege or 1::H1:h•ersity, then the member shall repay the full 
amount of a tuition benefit for all courses taken during the preceding semester, trimester, 
quarter or term to the Maine National Guard. 
Sec. B-11. 37-B MRSA §356, sub-§4 is enacted to read: 
4. Rules. The Adjutant General shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this 
section, which are routine technical rules under Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
Sec. B-12. 37-B MRSA §357, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 488, §4 and affected by 
§5, is repealed and the following enacted in its place: 
§357. In-state tuition rates 
A member who is approved to receive tuition benefits under this subchapter qualifies 
for in-state tuition rates. 
Sec. B-13. 37-B MRSA §358, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 488, §4 and affected by 
§5, is repealed. 
Sec. B-14. 37-B MRSA §§359 and 360 are enacted to read: 
§359. Mobilized or deployed members 
Any member who is a student receiving a tuition benefit under this subchapter who is 
mobilized or deployed is entitled to an extension of the time the tuition benefit may be 
claimed equal to the amount of time served on active duty. 
§360. Policies and implementation 
The Adjutant General is responsible for overall policies, guidance, administration and 
proper use of the program provided for in this subchapter. 
Sec. B-15. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
DEFENSE, VETERANS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT 
OF 
Maine National Guard Postsecondary Fund Z190 
Initiative: Establishes the Maine National Guard Postsecondary Fund within the 
Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management. 
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OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
SUMMARY 
2015-16 
$500 
$500 
2016-17 
$500 
$500 
Like Committee Amendment "A", Part A of this amendment replaces the bill with 
language directing the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College 
System to identify the needs of student-veterans on their campuses, including needs 
related to admission, degree completion, transitioning to civilian life and meeting 
personal and financial obligations, and directs the University of Maine System and the 
Maine Community College System to identify existing services that meet the needs 
identified, assess the effectiveness of those services, determine what services are not 
being offered that, if offered, would meet those needs and propose services and solutions 
that fulfill those needs across campuses that are based upon best practices. 
Part B of this amendment establishes the Maine National Guard Postsecondary Fund 
and amends existing law regarding education assistance grants to Maine National Guard 
members. The amendment provides that the Maine National Guard Postsecondary Fund 
will provide for 100% of an eligible member's tuition costs. If the tuition benefit costs 
exceed the amount in the fund, the amendment states that the benefit will be provided in 
the form of a waiver from the state postsecondary education institution. The amendment 
clarifies that tuition does not include lab fees or other mandatory fees charged to students. 
The amendment specifies that the benefit entitles a member to one postsecondary 
education credential, whether it be at the associate, baccalaureate, certificate or licensure 
level. The amendment specifies that a member must first pursue all other state, federal 
and employer-provided benefits available and have not previously earned a bachelor's 
degree in order to qualify for the tuition benefit. 
SPONSORED BY: 
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............... 
(Representative FARR.IN) 
TOWN: Norridgewock 
HOUSE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 03/29/16 feae 
LD 1625 
LR2679(04) 
An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Strengthen and Align the Services 
Provided to Maine's Veterans by Requiring the University of Maine System To Provide Supportive 
Services to Stulnt-veterans 
Fiscal Note for House Amendment', 
to Committee Amendment "A" 
Sponsor: Rep. Farr n of Norridgewock 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Tuition revenue loss - Public post-secondary educational institutions 
Appropriations/ Allocations 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
FY 2015-16 
$500 
FY 2016-17 
$500 
Projections 
FY 2017-18 
$500 
Projections 
FY2018-19 
$500 
The bill adds an Other Special Revenue Funds allocation of$500 to establish the Maine National Guard 
Postsecondary Fund in the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management to allow the department to 
spend any money received into the Fund. 
This amendment will reduce tuition revenue to the University of Maine System, the Maine Community College 
System and Maine Maritime Academy due to a required tuition waiver for certain participants in the Maine National 
Guard. The impact to the individual institutions can not be determined at this time. 
LR2679(04) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I