Dillard Legislation Restricts Relatives from Receiving GA Tuition Waiver

Relatives of lawmakers would be restricted from receiving a General Assembly Tuition Waiver from their legislative family member under legislation sponsored by State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale).

Dillard explained that controversy has surrounded the legislative scholarship program in recent years, after reports of program abuses and patronage were brought forward by the media. Though some reforms of the program have been advanced in recent years, Dillard said that further restrictions are clearly needed.

“I couldn’t believe this restriction wasn’t already in place,” Dillard said. “While I no longer participate in the legislative scholarship program, House Bill 1353 would prohibit those who elect to grant these waivers from awarding them to their family members.”

Currently, a legislator cannot nominate an immediate family member for a scholarship if the family member has contributed to the legislator’s political campaign during that calendar year, or any of the previous five calendar years. Current law also prohibits an immediate family member who was awarded a scholarship from making a campaign contribution to the awarding lawmaker during the calendar year they received the tuition waiver award, or any of the five subsequent years.

House Bill 1353 has been advanced by the General Assembly and now moves to the governor for approval.