AB 397 — Revises provisions relating to higher education. (BDR 34-653)

Existing law requires the Chancellor of the System to direct an appropriate person employed by the System to analyze any ores, minerals, soil or water taken from within the boundaries of this State which are sent to the Chancellor by any resident of this State for the purpose of performing such an analysis.

(NRS 396.620-396.660) Section 2 of this bill repeals this requirement.

- 83rd Session (2025) – 3 – EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new;

matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

A member of the active Nevada National Guard who has reenlisted may, in lieu of using the waiver himself or herself and regardless of whether the member was granted a waiver pursuant to thisthi(a) sectionAssign beforesuch reenlistment:a waiver to his or her spouse or child for credits applicable toward the course work required for the award to the spouse or child of an associate’s degree, baccalaureate degree or certificate at any school within the System.

(a) Assign such a waiver to his or her spouse or child for credits applicable toward the course work required for the award to the spouse or child of an associate’s degree, baccalaureate degree or certificate at any school within the System.

(c) Scholarships awarded pursuant to the Governor Guinn Millennium396.945, Scholarshipinclusive;hip Program pursuant to NRS 396.911 to 396.945,(d) Grants awarded pursuant to the Silver State Opportunity Grant Program pursuant to NRS 396.950 to 396.960, inclusive;

- *AB397_R1*83rd Session (2025) – 4 – (d)Scholarship Grants awarded pursuant to the Silver State Opportunity Grant Program pursuant to NRS 396.950396.961 to 396.960,396.9685,se inclusive;

(e) Scholarships awarded pursuant to the Nevada Promise Scholarship Program pursuant to NRS 396.961 to 396.9685, inclusive;

A person to whom a waiver is granted, assigned or reassigned pursuant to subsection 1 or 2 must [maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average, on a 4.0 grading scale, each semester for which the waiver is granted, assigned or reassigned, or the equivalent of a 2.0 grade point average if a different grading scale is used.] :

§ 1091, complete an alternative form as may be prescribed by the school in which the person attendsis enrolled to evaluate the financial needs of the person for financial assistance.

(b) Meet satisfactory academic progress, as defined by federal requirements established pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Educationby Actthe ofschool 1965,in 20which U.S.C.the person is enrolled.q., and determined [6.] 7.

§§ 1001 et seq., and determined by the school in which the person is enrolled.

[6.] 7.

(a) Upon receiving a request from the Board of Regents pursuant to subsection [6,] 7, notify the Board of Regents in writing concerning the status and dates of membership of a person who is - *AB397_R1*83rd Session (2025) – 5 – seekinglaboratory orfees haspursuant beento grantedsubsection 1.egistration fees and (b) Maintain a waiverrecord of registrationany feeswaiver andthat laboratoryhas feesbeen granted, assigned or reassigned pursuant to subsection 1.1 or 2 and the person to whom the waiver was assigned or reassigned.

(b) Maintain a record of any waiver that has been granted, assigned or reassigned pursuant to subsection 1 or 2 and the person to whom the waiver was assigned or reassigned.

(a) “Full-time National Guard duty” has the meaning ascribed to it in(b) 32“Other U.S.C.mandatory fees” includes, without limitation, differential program fees, special course fees, student fees and technology fees.

§ 101(19).

(b) “Other mandatory fees” includes, without limitation, differential program fees, special course fees, student fees and technology fees.

For the purpose of assessing fees and charges against a person to whom such a waiver is granted, including, without limitation, tuition charges pursuant to NRS 396.540, the person shall be deemed to be a bona fide resident of this State.

person shall be deemed to be a bona 2.

(a)- 83rd Session (2025) – 6 – (b) Federal studenteducational aid;benefits;

(b)(c) FederalScholarships educationalawarded benefits;pursuant to the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Program pursuant to NRS 396.911 to 396.945, inclusive;

- *AB397_R1* – 6 – (c) Scholarships awarded pursuant to the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Program pursuant to NRS 396.911 to 396.945, inclusive;

(a) For(1) everyIf yearthe person is eligible to receive federal student aid for whichthat theyear personpursuant seeksto a20 waiver:U.S.C.

(1) If the person is eligible to receive federal student aid for that year pursuant to 20 U.S.C.

§ 1091, complete an alternative form as may be prescribed by the school in which the person attendsis enrolled to evaluate the financial needs of the person for financial assistance.

A child may use a waiver granted pursuant to this section for 10 years after the child attains the age of 18 years or, if the child enrolls in the System before the age of 18 years, for 10 years after the date of such enrollment.

A widow or widower may 10 use a waiver granted pursuant to this section for 10 years after the date of the death of the member.

6.- 83rd Session (2025) – 7 – without limitation, differential program fees, special course fees, student fees and technology fees.

AsSec. used in this section, “other mandatory fees” includes, without limitation, differential program fees, special course fees, student fees and technology fees.

- *AB397_R1* – 7 – Sec.

(a) If the student is entitled to receive any federal educational benefits for a semester, the balance of registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed against the student thatthatry remain unpaid after the student’s account has been credited with the full amount of the federal educational benefits to which the student is entitled for that semester;

(c) Scholarships awarded pursuant to the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Program pursuant to NRS 396.911 toton 396.945, inclusive;

and (f)- Any83rd otherSession scholarships,(2025) grants– and8 other– financial assistance provided or awarded by the Board of Regents or any other State entity.

- *AB397_R1* – 8 – (1) If the student is eligible to receive federal student aid for that year pursuant to 20 U.S.C.

§ 1091, complete an alternative form as may be prescribed by the school in which the person attendsis enrolled to evaluate the financial needs of the student for financial assistance.

(b) Meet satisfactory academic progress, as defined by federal requirements established pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Educationby Actthe ofschool 1965,in 20which U.S.C.the student is enrolled.., and determined 4.

§§ 1001 et seq., and determined by the school in which the student is enrolled.

4.

The Board of Regents may grant more favorable waivers of registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees for veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been awarded the Purple Heart or the child of such a veteran than the waiver provided pursuant to this section if required for the receipt of federalfed[6.] money.7.neA child of a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States who has been awarded the Purple Heart may use a waiver granted pursuant to this section for 10 years after the child attains 18 years of age, or, if the child enrolls in the System before attaining 18 years of age, for 10 years after the date of such enrollment.

[6.] 7.

A child of a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States who has been awarded the Purple Heart may use a waiver granted pursuant to this section for 10 years after the child attains 18 years of age, or, if the child enrolls in the System before attaining 18 years of age, for 10 years after the date of such enrollment.

Sec.- 83rd Session (2025) – 9 – 396.5445 1.

1.4.The Board of Regents may grant a waiver of thes:

NRSpayment 396.5445of registration fees , [and] laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed each semester for a spouse or child of a person who is herebyidentified amendedas toa readprisoner of war or missing in action while performing his or her duties as follows:a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.

396.5445For 1.the purpose of assessing fees and charges against a person to whom such a waiver is granted, including, without limitation, tuition charges pursuant to NRS 396.540, the person shall be deemed to be a bona fide resident of this State.

The Board of Regents may grant a waiver of the payment of registration fees , [and] laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed each semester for a spouse or child of a person who is identified as a prisoner of war or missing in action while performing his or her duties as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.

For the purpose of assessing fees and charges against a person to whom such a waiver is granted, including, - *AB397_R1* – 9 – without limitation, tuition charges pursuant to NRS 396.540, the person shall be deemed to be a bona fide resident of this State.

(a) Federal student aid;

To be eligible for a waiver pursuant to subsection 1 [if the person maintains at least a 2.0 grade point average, on a 4.0 grading scale, each semester or the equivalent of a 2.0 grade point average if a differentd(a) scaleFor isevery used.]year ,for awhich the person must:seeks a waiver:

(a) For every year for which the person seeks a waiver:

§ 1091, complete an alternative form as may be prescribed by the school in which the person attendsis to- evaluate83rd theSession financial(2025) needs– of10 the– person for financial assistance.

evaluate the financial needs of the person for financial (b) Meet satisfactory academic progress, as defined by federal requirements established pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C.

A child may use a waiver granted pursuant to this section for 10 years after the child attains the age of 18 years or, if the child - *AB397_R1* – 10 – enrolls in the System before the age of 18 years, for 10 years after the date of such enrollment.

The Board of Regents may request such documentation as it deems necessary to verify that a person is the spouse or child of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is identified as a prisoner of war or missing in action while performing hishis6.r orhAs herused dutiesin asthis asection, member“other ofmandatory thefees” Armedincludes, Forces.without limitation, differential program fees, special course fees, student fees and technology fees.

6.

As used in this section, “other mandatory fees” includes, without limitation, differential program fees, special course fees, student fees and technology fees.

and (b) The veteran or a third party will pay the remainder of the  For the purpose of this subsection, a scholarship or a waiver of registration fees andor other fees ofreceived by the graduateveteran degreefor program.any reason other than this subsection is deemed to be a payment by a third party.

 For the purpose of this subsection, a scholarship or a waiver of registration fees or other fees received by the veteran for any reason other than this subsection is deemed to be a payment by a third party.

[A veteran is] The amount of any waiver granted pursuant to subsection 1 must be equal to not less than half of the balance of all registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed against the veteran to whom the waiver is granted remaining for a semester after the application of all scholarships, grants- and83rd otherSession financial(2025) assistance,– with11 the– exception of loans, to which the veteran is entitled for that semester, including,including,oans, without limitation:

and - *AB397_R1* – 11 – (f) Any other scholarships, grants and other financial assistance provided or awarded by the Board of Regents or any other State entity.

To be eligible for a waiver pursuant to subsection 1 [if the veteran maintains at least a 2.75 grade point average, on a 4.0 grading scale, each semester or the equivalent of a 2.75 grade point average if a different scale is used.] , a veteran must:

§ 1091, complete an alternative form as may be prescribed by the school in which the veteran attendsis enrolled to evaluate the financial needs of the veteran for financial assistance.

§§ 1001 et seq., and determined by the[3.] school4.ooAs used in whichthis thesection veteran[, is“veteran”] enrolled.:

[3.] 4.

As used in this section [, “veteran”] :

The Board of Regents may[may] shall grant a waiver of the payment of registration fees , [and] laboratory fees and all - 83rd Session (2025) – 12 – other mandatory fees assessed each semester for a person who is[is identified as a homeless or unaccompanied pupil.pupil.] :

For the purpose of assessing fees and charges against a person to whom such a waiver is granted, including, without limitation, tuition charges pursuant to NRS 396.540, the person shall be deemed to be a bona fide resident of this State.

2.

[A person is] To be eligible for a waiver pursuant to subsection 1 [if the person maintains at least a 2.0 grade point average, on a 4.0 grading scale, each semester or the equivalent of a 2.0 grade point average if a different scale is used.] , a person must:

(a) For every year for which the person seeks a waiver:

(1) If the person is eligible to receive federal student aid for that year pursuant to 20 U.S.C.

§ 1091, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid provided for by 20 U.S.C.

§ 1090;

or - *AB397_R1* – 12 – (2) If the person is not eligible to receive federal student aid for that year pursuant to 20 U.S.C.

§ 1091, complete an alternative form as may be prescribed by the school in which the person attends to evaluate the financial needs of the person for financial assistance.

(b) Meet satisfactory academic progress, as defined by federal requirements established pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C.

§§ 1001 et seq., and determined by the school in which the person is enrolled.

3.

A person may use a waiver granted pursuant to subsection 1 for 10 years after the person attains the age of 18 years or, if the person enrolls in the System before the age of 18 years, for 10 years after the date of such enrollment.

4.

The Board of Regents may request documentation from a person requesting a waiver pursuant to subsection 1 as it deems necessary to verify that such a person was a homeless or unaccompanied pupil.

5.

The amount of any waiver granted pursuant to subsection 1 must be equal to the balance of all registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed against the person to whom the waiver is granted remaining for a semester after the application of all scholarships, grants and other financial assistance, with the exception of loans, to which the person is entitled for that semester, including, without limitation:

(a) Federal student aid;

(b) Federal educational benefits;

(c) Scholarships awarded pursuant to the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Program pursuant to NRS 396.911 to 396.945, inclusive;

(d) Grants awarded pursuant to the Silver State Opportunity Grant Program pursuant to NRS 396.950 to 396.960, inclusive;

(e) Scholarships awarded pursuant to the Nevada Promise Scholarship Program pursuant to NRS 396.961 to 396.9685, inclusive;

and (f) Any other scholarships, grants and other financial assistance provided or awarded by the Board of Regents or any other State entity.

6.

As used in this section:

(a) “Homeless pupil” has the meaning ascribed to the term “homeless children and youths” in 42 U.S.C.

§ 11434a(2).

(b) “Other mandatory fees” includes, without limitation, differential program fees, special course fees, student fees and technology fees.

(c) “Unaccompanied pupil” has the meaning ascribed to the term “unaccompanied youth” in 42 U.S.C.

§ 11434a(6).

- *AB397_R1* – 13 – Sec.

1.7.

NRS 396.5448 is hereby amended to read as follows:

396.5448 1.

The Board of Regents [may] shall grant a waiver of the payment of registration fees, laboratory fees and all other mandatory fees assessed each semester for a person who [is identified as a homeless or unaccompanied pupil.] :

(b) Is enrolled in the System as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student;

andandSystem as a full-time or part-time (c) For a period of not less than 6 months at any time after the person attained the age of 13 years, was an unaccompanied youth and, during that period of time was also:

or (2) Self-sustainingSelf-supporting and at risk of becoming a homeless youth.

[2.][2. 3.

ToA be eligible for a waiver pursuant to subsection 1, a person must:is] 3.

To be eligible for a waiver pursuant to subsection 1 [if the person maintains at least a 2.0 grade point average, on a 4.0 grading scale, each semester or the equivalent of a 2.0 grade point average if a different scale is used.

3.

A person may use a waiver granted pursuant to subsection 1 for 10 years after the person attains the age of 18 years or, if the person enrolls in the System before the age of 18 years, for 10 years after the date of such enrollment.] , a person must:

(1) If the person is eligible to receive federal student aid for thatApplication yearfor pursuantFederal toStudent Aid provided for by 20 U.S.C.

§ 1091, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid provided for by 20 U.S.C.

§ 1091, complete an alternative form as may be prescribed by the school in which the person attendsis enrolled to evaluate the financial needs of the person for financial assistance.

[3.4.

AThe personBoard mayof useRegents [may] shall request documentation from a waiverperson grantedrequesting a waiver pursuant to subsection 1 for[as 10it yearsdeems afternecessary] theto personverify attainsthat thesuch agea ofperson 18[was yearsa or,homeless ifor unaccompanied pupil.] meets the personcriteria enrollsdescribed in the- System83rd beforeSession the(2025) age– of13 18– years,limitation, fordocumentation 10which yearsmeets after the datestandards ofunder such20 enrollment.]U.S.C. 4.

The Board of Regents [may] shall request documentation from a person requesting a waiver pursuant to subsection 1 [as it deems necessary] to verify that such a person [was a homeless or unaccompanied pupil.] meets the criteria described in paragraph (c) of subsection 1, which may include, without limitation, documentation which meets the standards under 20 U.S.C.

- *AB397_R1* – 14 – 5.

The amount of any waiver granted pursuant to subsection 1 must be equal to the balance of all registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed against the person to whom the waiver is granted remaining for a semester after the application of all scholarships, grants and other financial assistance, with the exception of loans, to which the person is entitled for that semester, including, without limitation:

(e) Scholarships awarded pursuant to the Nevada Promise Scholarship Program pursuant to NRS 396.961 to 396.9685,396.9685,se inclusive;

1.7.

(Deleted by amendment.) Sec.

396.5449payment 1.of registration fees, laboratory fees and any other the mandatory fees assessed each semester against a student who:

The Board of Regents shall grant a waiver of the payment of registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed each semester against a student who:

and - 83rd Session (2025) – 14 – (c) Is:(1) [A bona fide resident of this State, as defined in NRS 396.540;

(1)(2) AA] bonaIs fidea residentmember or descendant of thisan State,enrolled asmember definedof inan NRSIndian 396.540;tribe or nation, all or part of which is located within the boundaries of this State [;

(2)or A(3) memberCurrently ora descendantresident ofon anqualified enrolledtribal memberland, ofwhether] an, Indianregardless tribeof orwhether nation,his all or parther ofactual whichresidence [was] is located within theor -outside *AB397_R1*of –the 15 – boundaries of this State [;][, whoand graduatedhas frombeen such a highresident schoolfor thatnot isless locatedthan within1 theyear; boundaries of this State;

or (3) Currently a resident on qualified tribal land, [whether] regardless of whether his or her actual residence [was] is located within or outside of the boundaries of this State .

[, and has been such a resident for not less than 1 year;

§ 1090] 2.;

(2) Has obtained a high school diploma awarded by a public or private high school located in this State;

assessment selected by the State Board of Education pursuant tocy NRS 390.055, if the assessment was administered in this State;

(4) Is currently enrolled in a public or private high school located in this State;

or (5) Is a descendant of a person who formerly attended the Stewart Indian School.

2.

[2.] (1) If the student is eligible to receive federal student aid for that year pursuant to 20 U.S.C.

or (2) If the student is not eligible to receive federal student aid for that year pursuant to 20 U.S.C.

§ 1091, complete ananl student alternative form as may be prescribed by the school in which the student attendsis enrolled to evaluate the financial needs of the person for financial assistance.

3.- 83rd Session (2025) – 15 – amount of the registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed against the student for that semester.

The amount of the waiver must be equal to the full amount of the registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees assessed against the student for that semester.

- *AB397_R1* – 16 – [6.] 7.

(a) “Other mandatory fees” includes, without limitation, differential program fees, special course fees, student fees and technology fees.

[(b)][(b) (c) “Qualified tribal land” means any real property:

and (2) Over which a federally recognized Indian tribe or nation, all or part of which is located within the boundaries of this State, exercisesexeSec. governmental power.

Sec.

If, during the period beginning on July 1, 2024, and ending on July 1, 2026, the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada granted a waiver of fees pursuant to NRS 396.5448396.5449 to a student who, as of July 1, 2026, is enrolled in any program at a school within the Nevada System of Higher Education, the Board of Regents shall grant a waiver of the payment of the portion of registration fees, laboratory fees and any other mandatory fees:fees that would otherwise be waived for the student by the Board of Regents pursuant to NRS 396.5449, as that section existed on July 1, 2024.

(a)- Assessed83rd againstSession the(2025) student– for16 the– degreeuntil programJuly or1, course2030.y ofuse study for which the student had previously received a waiver duringgranted thepursuant periodto ofthis timesection described3. in subsection 1;

and (b) That would otherwise be waived for the student by the Board of Regents pursuant to NRS 396.5448, as that section exists on July 1, 2025.

2.

A person may use a waiver granted pursuant to this section until July 1, 2030.

3.

This section and sections 11.8, to1.9 1.6, inclusive, 1.8 and 2 of this act become effective on July 1, 2025.

Sections 1.71 andto 1.91.7, inclusive, of this act become effective on July 1, 2026.

-~~~~~ *AB397_R1*25 –- 1783rd –Session LEADLINES(2025) OF REPEALED SECTIONS Submission of samples by residents of this State;

fee;:

maintenance of records and samples.

396.630 Assay to be run when same material sent from same district.

396.640 Analyses of samples in order received.

396.650 Limitations on number of samples and quantitative ana396.660 Purpose and applicability of NRS 396.620 to 396.660, inclusive.

H - *AB397_R1*