Postsecondary education: resident classification: veterans.

(1) Under existing law, the segments of the public postsecondary education system in the state include the University of California, which is administered by the Regents of the University of California, the California State University, which is administered by the Trustees of the California State University, and the California Community Colleges, which are administered by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. Existing law establishes uniform student residency requirements for purposes of ascertaining the amount of tuition and fees to be paid by students of public postsecondary education institutions. Existing law entitles a student who was a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in this state on active duty for more than one year immediately prior to being discharged from the Armed Forces to resident classification for the length of time he or she lives in this state after being discharged up to the minimum time necessary to become a resident. This bill would repeal that provision and would instead enact the Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2009, which would entitle a student who was a member of the Armed Forces to resident classification for the length of time he or she lives in this state after being discharged up to the minimum time necessary to become a resident, if the student meets specified eligibility requirements, including, among other requirements, being eligible for federal veterans education benefits. By requiring community college districts to change their practices with respect to determining residency, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.