SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2579

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 21, 2026

      The Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2579.

      Under current law, United States military personnel and their dependents who are living in New Jersey and are attending public institutions of higher education in New Jersey are regarded as residents of the State for the purpose of determining tuition.  This bill amends that law to provide that:

•   the in-State tuition classification also applies to the military service member’s spouse; and

•   in the event that the military service member is relocated out of the State due to the service member’s continued military service, the service member’s spouse or dependent will not lose their in-State tuition classification provided that: (1) the spouse or dependent was enrolled in a public institution of higher education in New Jersey prior to the service member’s relocation; and (2) the spouse or dependent maintains continuous enrollment at the public institution of higher education.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.