Bill > HB4163

This bill, known as the "Defend the Guard Act," proposes a significant restriction on the deployment of the Michigan National Guard to active duty combat. Specifically, the bill would prohibit the release of Michigan National Guard members into combat situations unless the United States Congress has either officially declared war or taken explicit constitutional action to call forth the state militia for specific purposes such as executing federal laws, suppressing insurrections, or repelling invasions. The governor would be required to take all necessary actions to ensure compliance with this restriction. The bill ties its effectiveness to another related House Bill (HB 4164), meaning it will only become law if that companion bill is also enacted. This legislation appears to be aimed at providing additional protection for Michigan National Guard members by creating a higher legal threshold for their deployment into combat zones, effectively requiring more formal congressional action beyond the current practices of military mobilization.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4163