TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a bill that would give in-state tuition to all veterans, active duty members of the U.S. military and their families.

Brownback signed the bill Friday and said it would help recognize the importance of their service.

The measure also would allow employers to show a preference toward qualified veterans when hiring and would protect the jobs of military members that are temporarily called to active duty.

Brownback said the reforms could help persuade the Pentagon to not reduce troop levels at Fort Riley in Junction City as a part of an across-the-board downsizing. The Army plans to downsize personnel from a war-time high of 570,000 to 450,000 at the end of 2017.

Fort Riley employs about 25,000 military and civilian workers.