Source: https://www.ngams.org/advocacy/successes/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 13:13:38+00:00

Document:
Prior to the 2015 legislative session, the NGAMS hired a legislative director, Allen McDaniel, the newly appointed NGAMS Executive Director, so that we may better keep you abreast of the legislation the NGAMS and the legislative committee is fighting for on your behalf. Listed below are our successes beginning with that session.
As previously worded, the militia immunity statute only provided civil and criminal immunity to militia forces in a state active duty status. However, Mississippi’s militia forces have in the past, for example in Hurricane Katrina operations, and may well in the future, be called to emergency service in some other state command, but federally-funded status, such as 32 U.S.C. 502(f) Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW). Members of the militia who are placed in a United States Code Title 32 status for purposes of service in connection with a declared emergency under the Mississippi Emergency Management Law should enjoy no less civil and criminal immunity than those on state active duty, due to the mere character of their orders. The amendment extended the same immunities to all members in said status.
The MS National Guard was not included under the term “United States Armed Forces” when an 18-21 year old is applying for the basic concealed carry permit. We proposed a change to include members of the MS National Guard. For the Enhanced Concealed Carry members of the military had to go through a firearms class. Current and former serving members of any active or reserve component of the United States Military undergoes far more firearms usage and safety training than the one day course that was currently required by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety as satisfying the enhanced concealed carry endorsement. Accordingly, there was no reason these current or retired military personnel, if they had training with a pistol or other handgun during their service, should be required to take the training course, assuming they are otherwise qualified for a basic concealed carry permit.
This amended the provisions of the MS Military Family Relief Fund. As it is previously worded a Serviemember had to be deployed or mobilized to receive benefit from the fund. The fund was created in 2005 to assist the families of mobilized and deployed Guardsmen. However the number of mobilized and deployed Guardsmen has fallen drastically since 2005. There are Guardsmen who have returned from mobilizations and deployments who need the services of this fund but do not qualify under the specific language of the statute. We were able to get removed the requirement of mobilization or deployment so that we may assist more Servicemembers.
To educate our elected officials on our service and needs, we had a well-attended luncheon during the 2015 Session to include 88 legislators, Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, Commissioner of Agriculture Cindy Hyde-Smith and State Auditor Stacey Pickering. CRTC also hosted informational briefings and tours for the Military Affairs Committees from the MS House and Senate.
1) Changes the maximum amount a General Courts-Martial may fine from $200 to $2,000.
2) Changes the maximum amount a Special Courts-Martial may fine from $100 to $1,000.
3) Changes the maximum amount a Summary Courts-Martial may fine from $25 to $250.
4) Change to allow TAG to designate Confinement Facility. This section will now be consistent with other sections in Title 33 that allows the Mississippi Adjutant General to designate the confinement facility.
HB 968 This bill clarified the synonymous meaning of the terms “high school equivalency diploma” and “GED” for purposes of qualifying students in the Mississippi National Guard Youth Challenge program for graduation.
HB 1119 This bill revised section 33 so that military police during periods of annual training are granted certain peace officer powers; provides the Adjutant General, MS Military Department, MS National Guard and designated civilian employees discretion in performance of their duties and immunity under the MS Tort Claims Act; provides monies from the state general fund may be utilized for the training of civilian guard officers at the law enforcement academy.
SB 2468 This bill made specific change to Title 97 (Crimes) making it a felony offense to assault a member of the Mississippi National Guard or United States Armed Forces while they are acting within the scope of their duties. It’s already a felony offense to engage in simple assault against Law Enforcement Agencies and other first responders.
SB 2669 This bill changed the name from “U.S. Court of Appeal for Military Forces” to “U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.” The U.S. changed the name of the Court over 10 years ago, but Mississippi didn’t update the name in Title 33.
SB 2032 This bill allows any nonlaw enforcement vehicle being used to lead and facilitate the movement of a military funeral procession to be marked with blinking, rotating or oscillating purple lights.
SB 2493 This bill allows members of the National Guard to name a temporary power of attorney for care and custody of their children while deployed or activated in performance of their military duties.
To educate our elected officials in our service and needs, we hosted a well attended luncheon during the 2016 Legislative Session to include 67 legislators, Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves toured the facilities and capacities at Thompson Field while members of the Senate and House were given a tour and demonstration of our units’ capabilities during annual training at Camp Shelby.
Over the last few years we have continued to evaluate our approach to presenting issues to the state legislature and other statewide officials. In the past we did not present proposed legislation until the session began in January. We now have adopted a policy that we will meet during the summer immediately following the state legislative session. During this meeting we will discuss the items that did and did not pass during the prior session. We prioritize legislation for the upcoming session and devise a plan for implementation. We additionally schedule visits for legislators and other government officials to the various military installations and functions throughout the state.
Through the efforts of the Legislative Committee, the members of the NGAMS, the Director of Legislative Affairs and Economic Development for the Adjutant General and our leadership in the Mississippi Legislature we are very happy that the following proposals have passed and been signed into law. We thank all those involved for their tireless efforts and their concerns for the well-being of our men and women in uniform and are happy to report the following successes.
Amended Section 33-1-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, to provide that military servicemen or veterans shall have reemployment protections when performing duties or receiving training with armed forces of other states, (including active state duty, state-training duty or any other military duty authorized under Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code).
Amended Section 35-1-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, to clarify that the executive director and deputy director of the state veterans affairs board shall be a currently serving member or honorably discharged or released veteran of any active or reserve component branch of the united states armed forces.
Previously currently serving members of the Mississippi National Guard were not eligible to serve as either the executive director or deputy director of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board.
The Mississippi Military Department was provide an increase in funding to include funding for the Youth Challenge Program and Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. The Mississippi Military is one of very few state agencies that did not take a cut in their funding and one of even fewer to receive an increase.
Finally, the Mississippi Military Department was able to gain $5,000,000 in bond money to planning, construction, repair, renovation, replacement, furnishing and equipping readiness centers. This matching funds will be combined with the federal funding provided by the efforts of our federal delegation.
To educate our elected officials in our service and needs, the Mississippi National Guard Legislative Committee had a well attended luncheon during the 2018 Legislative Session to include 77 legislators, Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, Commissioner of Agriculture (and now U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Treasurer Lynn Fitch, Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann and State Auditor Stacey Pickering.
In late fall 2017 Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves toured the proposed armory location and current facility in Desoto County. Several members of the legislature and stare officials also toured Camp Shelby and visited with soon to be deployed soldiers for a demonstration of our units’ capabilities.
The NGAMS Legislative Committee will continue to educate our elected officials on the mission and importance of the Mississippi National Guard and support legislation that benefits our members.
Through the efforts of the Legislative Committee, the members of the NGAMS, the Director of Legislative Affairs and Economic Development for the Adjutant General and our leadership in the Mississippi Legislature we had our most successful legislative session to date. The following proposals have passed and been signed into law. We thank all those involved for their tireless efforts and their concerns for the well-being of our men and women in uniform and are happy to report the following successes.
Amends MS Code Ann § 43-21-353, to provide that in cases of reports of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Child Protection Services, the department shall notify the applicable military family advocacy program that there is an allegation of abuse or neglect that relates to that child.
Why this matters to us: This allows our Mississippi Military Department to work with our child protective services and local government to better protect our military families.
Amends MS Code Ann § 19-5-99, to revise the entities to which economic development districts may transfer industrial sites within industrial parks to include the Mississippi Military Department and the Mississippi National Guard.
Why this matters to us: This is an incredibly important revision as it allows counties to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of property in Economic Development Districts for building of Readiness Centers. This allows our Readiness Centers to be situated in areas that can better serve our communities in times of disaster and help in recruitment due to increased visibility. Readiness Centers will be on main transportation corridors and in areas containing very good infrastructure.
Amends MS Code Ann § 63-1-203, to revise the commercial driver’s license act to exclude from the definition of “commercial motor vehicle” any military and commercial equipment owned or operated by the Mississippi Military Department and operated by employees of the Mississippi Military Department.
Why this matters to us: We have pieces of equipment located in various parts of our state that require a commercial driver’s license to operate off a military installation such as Camp Shelby. However, our personnel are otherwise qualified to safely operate the equipment with our current training. This alleviates the expense and requirement of the commercial driver’s license.
Amends MS Code Ann § 37-103-19, to provide that the spouse or child of an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces stationed in Mississippi shall be deemed an in-state resident for purposes of determining tuition at state institutions of higher learning and community colleges; to provide that such spouse or child may continue to be designated as an in-state resident if he or she maintains continuous enrollment in good standing.
Why this matters to us: We have experienced issues with Service members living technically outside of the state (for example in Memphis or Mobile) or who have recently moved to Mississippi having to pay out of state tuition for their dependents. This change relieves that problem.
Requires school districts to accept an application for enrollment and course registration by electronic means for any pupil whose parent is transferred, or is pending transfer, within the state while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order.
Why this matters to us: This is especially important for AGR Service members who move to different location within Mississippi as it easies the burden on the families to relocate during odd times of the year.
Requires the board of trustees of state Institutions of Higher Learning and the Mississippi Community College Board to adopt policies requiring the award of educational credits for courses that are part of a student’s military training or service.
Why this matters to us: This law assists Service members in obtaining academic credit for degrees without having to repeat requirements completed while with the military.
Amends MS Code Ann § 73-50-1, to provide that an occupational licensing board issuing a license, certification or registration to a military spouse shall approve or deny the application within a certain amount of time if the spouse’s orders are in Mississippi for 36 months or less.
Why this matters to us: This creates a deadline for occupational license boards to process occupational licenses for the Service members and spouses.
Amends MS Code Ann § 33-13-31, to increase certain fines provided for a commanding officer’s nonjudicial punishment under the Mississippi Code of Military Justice.
Why this matters to us: This gives commanders a better deterrent for discipline of units and puts Mississippi in line with UCMJ.
Amends MS Code Ann §33-13-159, to clarify that the decision to grant a trial before a summary courts-martial is reserved to the special or general court-martial convening authority, respectively.
Why this matters to us: The current system mandates approval authority on the TAG level for a determination of court martial. The new revision allows for lower level commanders to make the determination allowing more local disposition of cases.
The Mississippi Military Department was provided an increase in funding to include funding for the Youth Challenge Program and Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. The Mississippi Military is one of very few state agencies that did not take a cut in their funding and one of even fewer to receive an increase.
Finally, the Mississippi Military Department was able to gain $2,000,000 in bond money to planning, construction, repair, renovation, replacement, furnishing and equipping readiness centers around Mississippi. These matching funds will be combined with the federal funding provided by the efforts of our federal delegation.
To educate our elected officials in our service and needs, the Mississippi National Guard Legislative Committee had a well-attended luncheon during the 2019 Legislative Session to include 42 senators and 122 representatives present along with Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, Treasurer Lynn Fitch, Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn.

References: § 43
 § 19
 § 63
 § 37
 § 73
 § 33
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