Votes at a glance: panel advances bills defining field officers and removing deputy adjutant general age cap (both 13‑0)

The House State‑Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee took unanimous action on two relatively short, technical bills.

SB 473: On a motion by Representative Plant, the committee voted 13‑0 to report SB 473 "ought to pass." The bill defines "field officers" within the National Guard as lieutenant colonels and colonels; supporters said the language reduces paperwork and administrative delay for promotions and state actions tied to those ranks.

SB 472: Representative Manion moved that the committee recommend SB 472, which removes the statutory maximum age (65) for the position of Deputy Adjutant General. Testimony from Major General David Michalaitis said the department’s post‑2019 structure makes a hard age ceiling inappropriate for what functions as an administrative, full‑time position; the committee voted 13‑0 to report it "ought to pass." Both bills were placed on the consent calendar where appropriate, though any amended Senate bill may require concurrence.