The North Dakota Senate has approved tuition breaks for military personnel and their families who attend the state's public universities.

Active-duty soldiers, sailors and airmen, along with their spouses and children, are eligible to pay resident tuition rates at North Dakota schools under the measure, even if they are not state residents.

All North Dakota National Guard members, along with the spouses of military members killed or missing in action, may also claim resident tuition. Senators on Wednesday voted 47-0 in favor of the bill, which now goes to the House for review.

Under current law, only personnel stationed on North Dakota military installations pay the lower tuition rate. Sen. Ryan Taylor, D-Towner, said that can force students to pay more in tuition if their military parent is reassigned out of state.

"Passing this bill lets them know they are always welcome in our schools," Taylor said.

Separately, the Senate endorsed a resolution Wednesday to honor North Dakota soldiers who have been killed while serving in Iraq.

Honored were National Guard soldiers Spc. Cody Wentz, 21, of Williston; Spc. Jon Fettig, 30, of Dickinson; Staff Sgt. Ken Hendrickson, 41, of Bismarck; Sgt. Keith Smette, 25, of Makoti; Spc. Philip Brown, 21, of Jamestown; and Staff Sgt. Lance Koenig, 33, of Fargo, along with Army soldiers Pfc. Sheldon Hawk Eagle, 21, of Grand Forks; Spc. Thomas Sweet II, 23, of Bismarck; and Pvt. 1st Class Anthony Monroe, 21, of Bismarck.