The "Defend the Guard Act" is a proposed bill in South Carolina that seeks to amend the state's laws regarding the deployment of the South Carolina National Guard. Specifically, it introduces Section 25-1-1930, which stipulates that the National Guard cannot be released from the state into active-duty combat unless the United States Congress has either passed an official declaration of war or taken specific actions to call forth the National Guard for certain purposes, such as executing laws, repelling invasions, or suppressing insurrections. The bill defines "active-duty combat" and "official declaration of war" to clarify the conditions under which the National Guard may be deployed.

Additionally, the bill allows for the deployment of National Guard members for civil authority missions within the United States and its territories, ensuring that the Governor retains the authority to consent to such deployments. The act is set to take effect upon approval by the Governor, reflecting a significant change in how the state manages the mobilization of its National Guard forces in relation to federal military actions.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 25-1-1930
Latest Version: 25-1-1930
12/06/2024: 25-1-1930