In an ongoing commitment to affordable education, Indian-American freshman Assemblyman Reuben D’Silva’s bill gives veterans’ kids free college at the State supported higher education institutions.  

The approved bill requires the Board of Regents to grant a waiver of the payment of registration fees, laboratory fees, and any other mandatory fees assessed each semester against a student who is the child of a veteran of the United States who has been awarded the Purple Heart. The child of such a veteran is eligible for fee waivers if the veteran is a bona fide resident of this State at the time of his or her death and the child of such a veteran is graduated from a Nevada-based high school.

By sponsoring this bill, D’Silva, a first-time legislator, has undoubtedly earned another golden feather on his cap. A war veteran and a Purple Heart recipient, D’Silva’s bill, signed by Governor Lombardo, becomes a law effective July 1, 2023. The bill was overwhelmingly supported by both sides of the political spectrum and passed 42-0 in the Assembly and 21-0 in the Senate.

In a prepared statement, Assemblyman D’Silva said, “Thank you, Gov. Lombardo, for signing AB 279. It is a known fact that the children of wounded vets will also bear the burdens of battle for the rest of their own lives. AB 279 is a way to honor the collective sacrifices of our wounded veterans and their children.”

Previous education bill by Assemblyman Reuben D’Silva