Bill > HB533

This bill, titled "Virginia National Guard; deployment to active duty combat," aims to restrict when the Virginia National Guard can be sent into active duty combat. It defines "active duty combat" as participating in an armed conflict, performing hazardous service related to an armed conflict in a foreign state, or carrying out a duty through an "instrumentality of war," which refers to something used in warfare. The bill also clarifies that an "official declaration of war" means a formal declaration made by Congress, as authorized by the U.S. Constitution. Essentially, the bill prohibits the Governor from deploying the Virginia National Guard into active duty combat unless Congress has officially declared war or taken specific constitutional action to execute U.S. laws, repel an invasion, or suppress an insurrection. The bill also includes a provision stating that this restriction does not prevent the Governor from deploying the Guard for defense support of civil authority missions within the United States or in foreign states.

Justice, Military Affairs and Security

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB533