Bill > HB2188

This bill establishes new restrictions on when Arizona's National Guard can be called into active duty combat, requiring either an official declaration of war by the United States Congress or specific authorization by the state legislature. The bill defines "active duty combat" as participating in an armed conflict, performing hazardous service in a foreign state, or performing war-related duties. The legislation is rooted in a detailed legislative finding that criticizes the executive branch's historical tendency to engage in military actions without a formal congressional declaration of war. The bill's key provisions mandate that the governor must take necessary actions to ensure the National Guard is not deployed into combat without meeting these specific criteria. The bill includes extensive historical quotes from the United States' founding fathers, such as George Washington, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton, to support its argument that war powers should primarily rest with the legislative branch. Ultimately, the bill is designed to provide a state-level check on federal military deployment and is officially titled the "Defend the Guard Act."

Military Affairs and Security

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/81892