House Bill No. 2118, introduced by Kannady, proposes significant amendments to the governing laws of the Oklahoma Military Department. A key change is the updated eligibility requirement for the Adjutant General, who must now hold the rank of federally recognized colonel or higher in the Oklahoma National Guard for a minimum of three years. The bill also establishes a compensation guideline that aligns the Adjutant General's pay with that of a Major General on federal active duty, irrespective of their federal recognition status at the time of appointment. Additionally, the Adjutant General will receive new authorities, including the ability to arm state military members, accept donations for National Guard programs, and oversee fire protection and police units.

The bill further modernizes the Oklahoma Military Department by addressing operational aspects, such as exempting federal programs from certain Information Services Division requirements and establishing penalties for domestic violence by militia members. It adopts the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, as the Oklahoma State Manual for Courts-Martial and clarifies procedures for nonjudicial punishment within the state military forces. Notably, it prohibits the use or ingestion of marijuana by military personnel and outlines specific punishments for violent offenses against intimate partners or family members. The bill also mandates that certain articles of the Oklahoma Uniform Code of Military Justice be explained to military personnel within 90 days of re-enlistment and designates the "Benjamin T. Walkingstick National Guard Complex" for specific military facilities. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 44-940b
House Committee Substitute: 44-940b
Floor (House): 44-940b
Engrossed: 44-940b
Sub Committee OR Policy Committee Recommendations (House) Policy Committee Recommendation: 44-940b