All Roll Calls
Yes: 283 • No: 6
MontanaHB 55369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Generally revise military higher education act
Sponsored By: George Nikolakakos (Republican)
Became Law
Military AffairsSchools and Education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
College protections for Guard and Reserve students
State colleges cannot deny you admission or readmission because you serve in the Guard or Reserves. If you are ordered to active duty during a term, faculty, when allowed by accreditation rules, must either: give a final passing grade if you finished enough work, give an incomplete with extra time, or let you withdraw with a financial credit under state rules. If you reenroll within 12 months after returning from active duty, the school readmits you with the same academic status. Same academic status means the same program and the same progress in that program.
Make-up time for military training absences
If you will miss an assignment or exam for inactive duty or annual training, give at least 5 business days’ notice, unless military necessity made that impossible. With notice, and when allowed by accreditation rules, faculty must give you at least 15 business days to make up the work. A school can certify a shorter window to meet federal aid or graduation rules, but it cannot be less than 5 business days. Annual and inactive duty training count only if they are federally funded under Title 10 or Title 32.
Who qualifies and which Montana colleges are covered
The law sets who qualifies and which schools must follow it. Active duty includes federally funded Title 10 or 32 duty, state active duty, and state special work. It does not include regular weekend or annual training, or duty you asked for. Eligible students are members of a U.S. reserve component or the Montana National Guard. These rules apply only to colleges under the Montana Board of Regents.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
George Nikolakakos
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brad Barker
Republican • House
Russ Tempel
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/15/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 48 • No: 2
House vote • 4/14/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 40 • No: 4
House vote • 3/7/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 98 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 97 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/8/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/5/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
4/25/2025HouseSigned by President
4/25/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/24/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/17/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/15/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/15/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/14/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
4/8/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
4/8/2025SenateHearing
4/7/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/14/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/14/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
3/7/2025House3rd Reading Passed
3/7/2025House2nd Reading Passed
3/5/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed as Amended
3/1/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended
2/28/2025HouseHearing
2/21/2025HouseFirst Reading
2/19/2025HouseReferred to Committee
2/19/2025HouseIntroduced
2/18/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/16/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/1/2025
Introduced
2/18/2025