Bill > HF1782

This bill, known as the Defend the Guard Act, establishes new restrictions on the deployment of Minnesota National Guard members for active duty combat. Specifically, the bill defines "active duty combat" as participation in armed conflicts, performing hazardous services related to armed conflicts in foreign states, or performing war-related duties. The key provision requires that the Minnesota National Guard can only be released for active duty combat when the United States Congress has either passed an official declaration of war or taken explicit constitutional action to call forth the Guard to execute union laws, repel an invasion, or suppress an insurrection. The governor is mandated to take all necessary actions to comply with these requirements. However, the bill does not prevent the governor from consenting to National Guard deployments for defense support of civil authority missions within the United States and its territories. This legislation aims to provide additional constitutional oversight and protection for National Guard members by ensuring their deployment only occurs under specific, constitutionally defined circumstances.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1782&ssn=0&y=2025