BILL ANALYSIS �
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair
AB 636 (Knight)
Hearing Date: 8/15/2011 Amended: 7/12/2011
Consultant: Maureen Ortiz Policy Vote: VA: 7-0 ED: 10-0
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BILL SUMMARY: AB 636 requires any public or private
postsecondary educational institution to refund 100% of the
tuition and fees paid if the student is called to active
military duty.
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Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Fund
Tuition refund:
CSU ----unknown,
not significant---- General
Community Colleges ----likely less than $15
annually---- General*
*Costs count toward meeting the Prop. 98 goals.
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STAFF COMMENTS:
The exact costs will be determined by the number of students who
are called to active military service while in the midst of an
academic term, and after the withdraw date specified by the
institution. However, during FY 2008-09 the CCC showed a total
of 321 military withdrawals statewide resulting in refunds of
about $26,000. Although AB 636 will require the refunding of
additional tuition fees, it is not expected to result in a
significant impact. According to the California State
University, the instance of refunding tuition is not common and
the expansion in this bill will not result in significant new
costs. The University of California indicates that this bill
only codifies current practice and does not expect any
additional costs.
Current law, the California Military Families Financial Relief
Act of 2005 (and expanded by SB 1075, Chapter 284, Statutes of
AB 636 (Knight)
Page 1
2010), grants the following provisions for any student who is
granted an academic leave of absence for military service:
a) The educational institution must make arrangements to
reasonably accommodate and assist the student to complete
coursework requirements missed due to military service.
b) Credit 100% of the tuition and fee charges toward a
subsequent academic term in which the student is required to
report for military services.
c) Refund 100% percent tuition and fees paid for the academic
term provided the student withdraws before the withdraw date
established by the institution.
d) Restore the student to the educational status the student
had attained prior to being called to military service without
loss of academic credits earned, scholarships or grants awarded,
or tuition or fees paid prior to the commencement of military
service.
AB 636 will further require the refund of tuition and fees,
regardless of whether the student is called to military service
before the academic term had commenced or after the term had
begun.