AB-556 • 2026

Public postsecondary education: waiver of campus-based fees: veterans.

Children Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Patterson
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about how the waivers will be implemented or enforced beyond the prohibitions mentioned.

Waiver of Campus Fees for Veterans' Children

This law prohibits public college campuses in California from charging mandatory campus-based fees to certain children of veterans and Medal of Honor recipients.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits the University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges from charging mandatory campus-based fees to specified students who qualify for fee waivers.

Who It Names or Affects

Children of U.S. military veterans with service-connected disabilities or who died from such disabilities
Undergraduate students who are recipients of the Medal of Honor
Underage children (up to age 27) of Medal of Honor recipients

Terms To Know

Service-Connected Disability: A disability that happened because of military service.
Medal of Honor: The highest military decoration awarded by the United States government for acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

Limits and Unknowns

Community colleges must follow these rules unless they get special permission from the state.
University of California campuses only have to follow this rule if their Regents decide to make it apply.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-03-19 California Legislative Information
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.
2025-03-19 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. and M. & V.A.
2025-02-13 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.
2025-02-12 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 556, as introduced, Patterson.
Public postsecondary education: waiver of campus-based fees: veterans.
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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF