SB3737 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

SERVICEMEMBERS-SERVE ACT
Last Action
4/29/2026 - Senate: Third Reading - Passed; 056-000-000
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act  
Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Servicemember Education Rights Veneration Act. Requires institutions of higher education (institution) to accommodate service member student's academic military leave and grant prompt readmission when the service member student has not exceeded a cumulative academic military leave period beyond 5 years, provides advance notice of academic military leave to the institution, and provides notice of intent to return to the institution. Requires the institution to readmit a service member student on academic military leave into the next class, classes, or academic year division following the receipt of the notice of intent to return in accordance with the terms of the accommodation. Contains provisions on exemptions to readmission and related reporting requirements on service member students; investigations by the Attorney General's appointed ISERRA Advocate on whether a readmission exemption exists; and other matters. Requires service member students to provide advance notice of pending military service and prohibits institutions from imposing conditions for academic military leave not otherwise imposed under the Act. Contains provisions on military accommodation; academic obligations of service member students; reimbursement for school expenses; academic withdrawal due to military service; rejection of accommodation and the institution's burden of proof; a 5-year military service limitation; records documentation; advance notice requirements on service member students; notice of intent to return; anti-discrimination protections; academic leave for the spouses of servicemembers; Attorney General enforcement authority; remedies; rulemaking authority; and other matters.

Senate Floor Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: In the definition of "service member student", deletes language expanding the definition to include the spouse of a service member. Provides that accommodations made by an institution of higher education for a service member student shall be mutually agreed upon and conditioned on tasks that both sides must complete to fulfill the agreement (rather than shall be a mutually agreed upon contract conditioned on tasks that both sides must complete to fulfill the agreement). Provides that financial aid provided to a service member student shall be credited for the academic year division requiring withdrawal due to military service, unless expressly prohibited by the terms of such financial aid or (rather than and) impossible or unreasonable under the circumstances. Provides that a service member student who must withdraw from any course due to military service, shall receive (i) the maximum price, based on condition, for physical textbooks (rather than textbooks) purchased from the bookstore under the control of and associated with the institution and (ii) a full refund for electronic books. Deletes a provision creating a private right of action and a provision granting rulemaking authority to the Attorney General. Provides that any action brought under the Act by the Attorney General shall be commenced within 20 years after the date upon which the alleged violation occurred. Makes some technical changes.
Actions
DateChamberAction
2/05/2026SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Mike Porfirio
2/05/2026SenateFirst Reading
2/05/2026SenateReferred to Assignments
2/24/2026SenateAssigned to Higher Education
3/03/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán
3/04/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
3/04/2026SenateDo Pass Higher Education; 013-000-000
3/04/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 5, 2026
3/04/2026SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Craig Wilcox
3/04/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Bill Cunningham
3/04/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Jil Tracy
3/05/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin
3/05/2026SenateSecond Reading
3/05/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 10, 2026
3/05/2026SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer
4/09/2026SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Mike Porfirio
4/09/2026SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
4/14/2026SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Higher Education
4/15/2026SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Higher Education; 012-000-000
4/17/2026SenateRule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 8, 2026
4/29/2026SenateRecalled to Second Reading
4/29/2026SenateSenate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Porfirio
4/29/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
4/29/2026SenateThird Reading - Passed; 056-000-000
4/29/2026SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sally J. Turner