Senator Hines presents, committee approves update to Guard retirement language in HB 3940

Senator Hines presented House Bill 3940 and said it "modernizes and cleans up a lot of the guard issues that we've talked about primarily to do with retirement," and that one confusing provision — language allowing a Guardsman who is also a state civilian to receive the same pay — had been removed.

The measure drew a brief round of questions from Senator Kurt, who asked whether the bill was in final form. Hines replied he "wouldn't be surprised if I ever see this bill again," and said the measure is not funded until 2027, meaning it carries no immediate fiscal impact; he added that future sessions might need to address funding or the bill could become an unfunded mandate.

After brief discussion the vice chair moved a "do pass" recommendation, a second was recorded and the committee held a roll call. The presiding officer announced the vote as 7 ayes and 0 nays and declared House Bill 3940 passed. The committee then proceeded to the next agenda item.