Bill Sponsor
California Assembly Bill 556
Session 20252026
Public postsecondary education: waiver of campus-based fees: veterans.
Active
Active
Failed in Assembly on Feb 2, 2026
First Action
Feb 12, 2025
Latest Action
Feb 2, 2026
Origin Chamber
Assembly
Type
Bill
Bill Number
556
State
California
Session
20252026
Sponsorship by Party
Assembly Votes (2)
Motion Text
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Assembly Roll Call Votes
Summary
Existing law establishes the University of California, administered by the Regents of the University of California, the California State University, administered by the Trustees of the California State University, and the California Community Colleges, administered by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, as the 3 segments of public postsecondary education in the state. The Donahoe Higher Education Act prohibits the campuses of those segments from charging mandatory systemwide tuition or fees to specified students who apply for a waiver, including a child of any veteran of the United States military who has a service-connected disability, has been killed in service, or has died of a service-connected disability, an undergraduate student who is a recipient of a Medal of Honor, or an undergraduate student who is a child of a recipient of a Medal of Honor and who is no more than 27 years old, if certain requirements are satisfied. This bill would additionally prohibit the campuses of the 3 segments of public postsecondary education from charging those students any mandatory campus-based fees, as provided. To the extent the bill would add additional duties on community college districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would apply to the campuses of the University of California only to the extent that the regents, by appropriate resolution, make it apply. 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 the statutory provisions noted above.
Actions (11)
02/02/2026
Assembly
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
01/31/2026
Assembly
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
05/23/2025
Assembly
In committee: Held under submission.
04/23/2025
Assembly
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
04/09/2025
Assembly
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
04/09/2025
Assembly
Coauthors revised.
03/19/2025
Assembly
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on M. & V.A. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 18). Re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A.
03/19/2025
Assembly
Coauthors revised.
02/24/2025
Assembly
Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. and M. & V.A.
02/13/2025
Assembly
From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.
02/12/2025
Assembly
Read first time. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Feb 13, 2025 5:53:27 AM
Record Updated
Feb 3, 2026 8:48:33 AM