Bill
HJM 13
Urges President and Congress to require constitutional authorization for overseas National Guard deployments; a nonbinding memorial signaling state stance without creating duties.
Overview
HJM 13 is a state House Joint Memorial that urges the President and Congress to deploy National Guard troops overseas only when such deployment is expressly authorized by the United States Constitution. As a memorial, the measure is non-binding and expresses the sentiments of the sponsoring body rather than creating new legal obligations.
Purpose and Intent
- To reaffirm the principle that overseas deployment of National Guard forces should occur only under explicit constitutional authorization.
- To align federal decisions on National Guard deployments with constitutional war powers and the appropriate checks and balances between federal and state authorities.
- To signal the legislature’s position on executive-federal use of National Guard forces in international deployments.
Key Provisions (as typical for memorials)
- A formal urging to the President and Congress to restrict overseas National Guard deployments to instances explicitly authorized by the U.S. Constitution.
- A restatement of the dual state-federal nature of the National Guard and the constitutional framework governing war powers.
- A non-binding expression of legislative intent; no new duties, penalties, or funding changes are created by a memorial.
Who Would Be Affected
- Federal authorities (President and Congress) would receive the legislative expression of the state’s position.
- State National Guard governance remains governed by existing federal and state law; the memorial does not change any statutory requirements or create enforceable obligations.
- State residents may see the memorial as a formal statement of the legislature’s stance on national security and constitutional powers.
Procedural/Timeline Aspects
- Introduced: February 27, 2025.
- First Reading: February 27, 2025 (referred to the Speaker’s desk).
- Referred to Committee: March 5, 2025 (Rules).
- Public Hearing: April 9, 2025.
- Legislative Action: In committee upon adjournment as of June 28, 2025.
- Sponsor: Alek Skarlatos (primary).
Sponsors
- Primary sponsor: Alek Skarlatos. Additional co-sponsors, if any, are not listed in the provided information.
Notes on Legislative Status
- The bill remains a memorial and is non-binding. Its value lies in formalizing legislative sentiment and encouraging federal authorities to adhere to constitutional constraints when authorizing overseas National Guard deployments.
Fiscal Impact
- Not indicated; memorials generally involve no direct fiscal obligations or changes to funding.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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