SPONSOR: Hardwick
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces by a vote of 21 to 1.
This bill modifies the composition of the panel that recommends to the Adjutant General to make grants or provide other financial assistance or services from the Missouri Military Family Relief Fund. Instead of a sergeant major of the Missouri National Guard, the panel must include a senior enlisted leader of the Missouri National Guard. The bill also provides that the Adjutant General, rather than the panel, will have the power to establish criteria for the grants. Furthermore, the grants may be made to members of the Missouri National Guard in addition to families of members and other reserve members of the Armed Forces of the United States.
This bill establishes a Missouri National Guard Counterdrug Program Ribbon, which the Adjutant General is authorized to present to any member of the Missouri National Guard who has participated in the Counterdrug Program from January 1, 1989.
The bill also establishes the Missouri National Guard Homeland Response Force Program Ribbon, which the Adjutant General is authorized to present to any member of the Missouri National Guard who has participated in the Homeland Response Force Program from January 1, 2012.
This bill establishes a Missouri National Guard Engineer Explosive Ordnance Clearance Agent Ribbon, which the Adjutant General is authorized to present to any member of the Missouri National Guard who has participated in a engineer explosive ordnance clearance agent course from January 1, 2012.
The bill establishes the "Cybersecurity Mission Act", which provides that the Missouri National Guard may engage in cybersecurity, cyber-attack prevention, cyber-attack response, and cyber-attack support activities for this state and for political subdivisions, governing bodies, public colleges and universities, law enforcement agencies, utility companies, and critical infrastructure facilities of this state. The Adjutant General may activate members on state order to carry out such activities. The "Missouri National Guard Cyber-Security Revolving Fund" is created and will consist of monies appropriated by the General Assembly, monies received as a charge and monies received as reimbursement for expenses incurred by the Missouri National Guard related to rendering aid. The Missouri Veterans' Commission may use the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund for payment of expenses associated with providing medals, medallions, and certificates in recognition of service in the Armed Forces of the United States for any conflict, war, operation, and similar incident identified in law, rather than during World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War.
This bill creates the following medallions, medals, and certificates for eligible veterans:
(1) Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn;
(2) Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, and Operation Allies Refuge Program; and
(3) Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.
The bill provides that spouses or eldest living survivors of a deceased veteran, who was entitled to but died prior to applying, may apply on behalf of the deceased veteran.
The Missouri Veterans' Commission will design the form for the medallions, medals, and certificates. The Adjutant General will determine as expeditiously as possible those persons who are entitled to medallions, medals, and certificates and will notify the General Assembly when the supply totals less than 100.
Currently, the tuition and fee waiver for undergraduate courses at Missouri higher education institutions to Missouri National Guard members apply after GI Bill educational entitlements. This bill repeals this provision.
This bill repeals the Military Council, the duties of which included acting in an advisory capacity on matters provided by the Governor and the Adjutant General and making recommendations of appropriations for the needs of the militia and expending such appropriations.
This bill is similar to SB 1003 (2026).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this is a responsible way to strengthen our infrastructure and security. This bill also honors our veterans and helps the families of members of the military who are struggling financially. Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Hardwick; Mg (Ret.) William B. Blaylock II, Missouri National Guard Association; and Charles Hausman, Missouri National Guard.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
OTHERS: Others testifying on the bill say this bill needs some work and refining.
Testifying in person on the bill were Nick Humphrey, Missouri National Guard; Arnie C. Dienoff; and David Dunklee, The Healing Box Project.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: