Whereas, the Maine National Guard is a valuable resource for the State of Maine; and

Whereas, those in service to Maine deserve to be recognized and rewarded for their service; and

Whereas, it is imperative that this legislation take effect in time to allow members of the Maine National Guard to attend classes in the summer; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 37-B MRSA §387 is enacted to read:

§387.__National Guard education assistance

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Course" means a class taught over a semester, trimester, quarter or term.

B.__"Degree program" means a course of study programmed to culminate in a specific degree, diploma or certificate.

C.__"Maine National Guard member" or "member" means a member of a federally recognized unit of the Maine National Guard.

D.__"State postsecondary education institution" means the University of Maine System, the Maine Maritime Academy, the Maine Technical College System or any other college or university system established as a public instrumentality in this State.

E.__"Tuition" means the total semester, trimester, quarter or term or classroom-hour cost of instruction to the student as periodically published in the catalog of a state postsecondary education institution, including mandatory fees and lab fees but excluding all other expenses such as book charges, room and board.