The proposed bill establishes the "Defend the Guard Act" in Minnesota, which introduces new legal language into Minnesota Statutes, specifically in chapter 192. The Act defines "active duty combat" and "official declaration of war," clarifying that active duty combat includes participation in armed conflicts, hazardous services related to such conflicts, and duties through instruments of war. It stipulates that the Minnesota National Guard and its members cannot be deployed into active duty combat unless there is an official declaration of war by the United States Congress or an explicit call to action under the Constitution.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes that the governor must ensure compliance with these requirements before any deployment into active duty combat can occur. However, it also clarifies that the governor retains the authority to consent to the deployment of Minnesota National Guard members for defense support in civil authority missions within the United States and its territories, as permitted under federal law.