MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER DEFENSE FORCE H.B. 5143: FLOOR ANALYSIS
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House Bill 5143 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Joel Sheltrown
House Committee: Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security
Senate Committee: Homeland Security and Emerging Technologies
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Military Act to do the following:
-- Refer to the Michigan Volunteer Defense Force (MI VDF), rather than the Michigan Emergency Volunteers (MEV).
-- Eliminate a requirement that the National Guard be called into Federal service by the President in order for the Governor to activate the volunteer force.
-- Require the MI VDF to perform missions determined by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) in cooperation with the Michigan State Police and the State Emergency Preparedness Plan.
-- Require the DMVA annually to report to the Legislature on the status of the MI VDF.
Currently, when the President calls or orders all or part of the National Guard into Federal service in a time of a national emergency or when it appears that the National Guard may be called to Federal service, the Governor may activate within the military establishment the number of units known as the Michigan Emergency Volunteers that he or she considers necessary for adequate emergency assistance to the State. When activated, the MEV may perform only aid to civil authority missions formerly reserved for the National Guard as determined by the DMVA in cooperation with the State Police and the State Emergency Preparedness Plan.
The bill would delete the reference to a call or order into Federal service of the National Guard by the President, or the appearance that the National Guard may be called to Federal service. Under the bill, the Governor could activate the number of units of the MI VDF as he or she considered necessary for adequate emergency assistance to the State. The MI VDF would have to perform missions determined by the DMVA in cooperation with the State Police and the State Emergency Preparedness Plan.
MCL 32.651 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a minimum fiscal impact on the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, resulting from the additional paperwork and reporting required under the bill.
Date Completed: 12-12-07 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5143/0708