Elizabeth Guzman House Bill 417 Expands In-State Tuition for Military Families

Sep 14, 2026, 6:00 PM ET

Conceptual scene with military Humvee, sold home, and university building

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia House of Delegates has taken a decisive step to honor the sacrifices of active duty service members and veterans by overwhelmingly passing House Bill 417, which broadens access to in-state tuition rates at the Commonwealth’s public institutions of higher education for their children.

HB417 amends Section 23.1-506 of the Code of Virginia, specifically targeting the eligibility criteria for children of those who serve in the military. Under existing law, a child qualifies for in-state tuition if the active duty member or veteran claims Virginia as their home state of record and has filed Virginia tax returns for at least 10 years during active duty service, in addition to the immediate preceding tax year. The bill reduces this threshold significantly, requiring tax returns for at least two years during active duty service alongside the prior year’s filing. This change removes a longstanding barrier, making higher education more accessible and affordable for military families who have demonstrated strong ties to Virginia through their service and tax contributions.

Introduced on January 14, 2026, by Delegate Elizabeth Guzman, the legislation moved swiftly through the legislative process. Prefiled on January 12, it was referred to the House Committee on Appropriations and assigned to the Higher Education subcommittee. On February 11, the subcommittee recommended reporting the bill with a substitute by a vote of 7-0. Later that day, the full Appropriations Committee reported it with the substitute, passing 22-0.

The House floor saw even stronger consensus. On February 16, delegates agreed to the committee substitute and engrossed the bill. The following day, February 17, the chamber read the bill for the third time and passed it 97-0, with three members absent. This unanimous support underscores Virginia’s deep commitment to supporting those who defend the nation, reflecting a shared priority across the aisle to prioritize military families in matters of education and economic opportunity.

Fiscal impact statements from the Department of Planning and Budget, issued on January 23 and February 12, accompanied the bill’s progress, ensuring lawmakers had a clear picture of its budgetary implications. The measure now heads to the Senate, where it was referred to the Committee on Finance and Appropriations on February 18 following the dispensing of its first constitutional reading.

Virginia’s public universities and colleges serve a significant number of students under the existing military tuition provisions in Section 23.1-506, which already grants in-state rates to active duty members residing in the state, veterans and surviving spouses living in Virginia, and others with established ties. HB417 builds on this framework by easing the documentation burden for families frequently relocated due to service demands. Eligible children will continue to be counted as Virginia students for admissions, enrollment, and revenue policies, preserving the integrity of state-supported education while extending benefits to those who have earned them through parental service.

The bill’s passage highlights Virginia’s robust military community, home to major installations like Naval Station Norfolk and Quantico Marine Corps Base. By shortening the tax-filing requirement, HB417 recognizes the realities of military life—frequent moves, deployments, and inconsistent residency—without compromising verification of Virginia allegiance. This adjustment aligns with the Commonwealth’s tradition of rewarding patriotism and service, ensuring that the children of those protecting the nation can pursue college degrees without the full weight of out-of-state tuition costs, which can exceed $20,000 annually at many public institutions.

Supporters emphasize that the change promotes fairness and retention of military talent in Virginia. Service members who select the Commonwealth as their home of record often face challenges proving long-term commitment amid career exigencies. Reducing the years from 10 to two streamlines eligibility while maintaining essential safeguards, such as proof of home state claim and recent tax compliance.

As the 2026 Regular Session progresses, HB417 stands as a model of legislative efficiency and unity on a pro-family, pro-military issue. Its Senate trajectory will determine if it reaches Governor Glenn Youngkin’s desk for signature, potentially becoming law before the session adjourns. Public institutions, including the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and the state’s community college system, stand ready to implement expanded access, fostering the next generation of leaders from military households.

The measure’s committee substitutes refined its language, ensuring precision in application. For instance, the engrossed version clarifies that eligibility hinges on the parent’s claim of Virginia as home state, tax filings, and active duty status, integrating seamlessly with other exceptions like those for refugees, human trafficking victims, and full-time Virginia workers.

Virginia’s lawmakers have long championed military support, from property tax relief to employment preferences. HB417 extends this legacy into education, affirming that the state’s public colleges should reflect gratitude through tangible benefits. With no opposition recorded in House proceedings, the bill exemplifies how targeted reforms can advance core values of service, sacrifice, and opportunity.

Email the Norfolk City Council:
Kenneth Alexander, mayor@norfolk.gov,
Martin Thomas, martin.thomas@norfolk.gov,
Courtney Doyle, courtney.doyle@norfolk.gov,
Mamie Johnson, mamie.johnson@norfolk.gov,
John Paige, john.paige@norfolk.gov,
Thomas Smigiel, thomas.smigiel@norfolk.gov,
Jeremy McGee, jeremy.mcgee@norfolk.gov,
Carlos Clanton, carlos.clanton@norfolk.gov,

Email the Norfolk School Board:
Tiffany Moore-Buffaloe, tiffany.buffaloe@nps.k12.va.us,
Sarah DiCalogero, sarah.dicalogero@nps.k12.va.us,
Tanya Bhasin, tbhasin@nps.k12.va.us,
Adale Martin, amartin@nps.k12.va.us,
Kenneth Paulson, ken.paulson@nps.k12.va.us,
Jodi Slaughter, jodi.slaughter@nps.k12.va.us,
Alfreda Thomas, alfreda.thomas@nps.k12.va.us,

Norfolk Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Aaron Rouse Abigail Spanberger Adale Martin Adam Ebbin Adele McClure Alex Askew Alfonso Lopez Alfreda Thomas Amy Laufer Angelia Williams Graves Anne Tata Atoosa Reaser Barbara Favola Barry Knight Betsy Carr Bill DeSteph Bill Wiley Bonita Anthony Briana Sewell Bryce Reeves Buddy Fowler Budget Carlos Clanton Charlie Schmidt Charniele Herring Children Chris Runion Christie Craig Christopher Head Cia Price Cliff Hayes College Community College Courtney Doyle Creigh Deeds Dan Helmer Danica Roem Danny Diggs David Marsden David Reid David Suetterlein Debra Gardner Delores McQuinn Delores Oates Destiny LeVere Bolling Don Scott Education Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Elizabeth Guzman Elizabeth Guzmán Ellen McLaughlin Emily Jordan Eric Phillips Eric Zehr Families Garrett McGuire Glen Sturtevant Glenn Youngkin Governor Grants Gretchen Bulova Hillary Kent Holly Seibold House of Delegates Human Trafficking Irene Shin Israel O'Quinn Jackie Glass Jas Jeet Singh Jason Ballard Jay Leftwich Jeion Ward Jennifer Boysko Jennifer Carroll Foy Jeremy McGee Jeremy McPike Jessica Anderson Jodi Slaughter John McAuliff John Paige Joseph McNamara Josh Thomas Joshua Cole Justin Pence Kacey Carnegie Kannan Srinivasan Karen Hamilton Karen Keys-Gamarra Karrie Delaney Kathy Tran Katrina Callsen Keith Hodges Kelly Convirs-Fowler Kenneth Alexander Kenneth Paulson Kimberly Pope Adams Lamont Bagby Lashrecse Aird Laura Cohen Lawmakers Lee Ware Legislation Leslie Mehta Lily Franklin Lindsey Dougherty Louise Lucas Luke Torian Luther Cifers Madison Whittle Mamie Johnson Mamie Locke Marcus Simon Margaret Franklin Mark Downey Mark Obenshain Mark Peake Martin Thomas Marty Martinez May Nivar Michael Feggans Michael Jones Michael Webert Michelle Maldonado Mike Cherry Mitchell Cornett Nadarius Clark Nicole Cole Norfolk Norfolk City Council Norfolk School Board Otto Wachsmann Patrick Hope Paul Krizek Phil Hernandez Phillip Scott Rae Cousins Refugees Richard Stuart Richmond Rip Sullivan Robert Bloxom Rodney Willett Rozia Henson Russet Perry Ryan McDougle Saddam Salim Sam Rasoul Sarah DiCalogero Schuyler VanValkenburg Scott Surovell Scott Wyatt Senate Shelly Simonds Stacey Carroll Stella Pekarsky Tammy Mulchi Tanya Bhasin Tara Durant Terry Austin Terry Kilgore Thomas Smigiel Tiffany Moore-Buffaloe Tim Griffin Timmy French Todd Pillion Tom Garrett Tommy Wright Tony Wilt Travis Hackworth University of Virginia Veterans Virgil Thornton Virginia Virginia House Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Virginia Tech Vivian Watts Wendell Walker Will Davis Will Morefield William Stanley Wren Williams