Bill > HB1228

This bill establishes the Defend the Guard Act, which introduces new restrictions on how the Missouri National Guard can be deployed for active duty combat. Specifically, the bill requires that the United States Congress must first pass an official declaration of war, as defined by the Constitution's Article I, Section 8, Clause 11, before the Missouri National Guard can be released from state control into active combat service. The law defines "active duty combat" as participating in an armed conflict, performing hazardous service in a foreign state, or performing a war-related duty. The governor is mandated to take all necessary actions to ensure compliance with this requirement. However, the bill clarifies that these restrictions do not prevent the governor from consenting to National Guard deployments under Title 32 of the United States Code, which typically covers federal funding and certain types of federal military service. The act will become effective once at least ten other states have enacted similar legislation, as confirmed by notice to the state's revisor of statutes.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1228&year=2025&code=R