RICHMOND, Va. – The Commonwealth of Virginia’s General Assembly continues to process several bills within the House of Delegates and Senate during the 2020 General Session, several of which impact the Virginia National Guard.
The Virginia National Guard Association asks that the general public supports the Virginia National Guard by contacting their local elected representatives and asking for their support of House Bill 1718 and Senate Bill 753, “Virginia National Guard; state active duty for emergency response; pay and allowances for members.” Please contact your representatives by visiting the “Who’s My Legislator?” webpage and sending a short email advocating their support for H.B. 1718 and S.B. 753.
This bill closes the pay gap for Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force who willingly serve during emergencies with members of the Armed Forces, regardless of status; effectively equalizing the pay between the National Guard and the active component.
This new bill seeks to amend Commonwealth of Virginia Code § 44-83 such that members of the Virginia National Guard (Army National Guard, Air National Guard and Virginia Defense Force) receive pay and allowances equal to their rank and years of service, as determined by the Department of Military Affairs. The bill further stipulates that the Adjutant General may increase state active duty pay on an annual basis by a rate not to exceed the most recent percentage increase in basic pay for members of the Armed Forces. Current law requires that state actives duty pay is to be equal to one day’s active duty basic pay as if the member were performing Annual Training.
Passing this important legislation would ensure that Virginia National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense course are compensated equally to their active duty counterparts.
Legislation Sponsors: On January 8, 2020, Sen. Bryce Reeves, District 17, introduced Senate Bill 753 “Virginia National Guard; state active duty for emergency response; pay and allowances for members” as Chief Patron. Similarly, on January 17, 2020, Del. Nicholas Freitas, District 30, introduced House Bill 1718 “Virginia National Guard; state active duty for emergency response; pay and allowances for members” as Chief Patron. The language of H.B. 1718 is identical to S.B. 753.
SENATE PATRONS
- Bryce E. Reeves (chief patron)
- John J. Bell
- Amanda F. Chase
- Mark J. Peake
- Todd E. Pillion
HOUSE PATRONS
- Nicholas J. Freitas (chief patron)
- Les R. Adams
- Terry L. Austin
- G. “John” Avoli
- Amanda E. Batten
- Robert B. Bell
- Robert S. Bloxom, Jr.
- Emily M. Brewer
- Kathy J. Byron
- Jeffrey L. Campbell
- Ronnie R. Campbell
- Mark L. Cole
- Christopher E. Collins
- M. Kirkland Cox
- Carrie E. Coyner
- Glenn R. Davis
- James E. Edmunds, II
- C. Matthew Fariss
- Hyland F. “Buddy” Fowler, Jr.
- C. Todd Gilbert
- Christopher T. Head
- M. Keith Hodges
- Clinton L. Jenkins
- Terry G. Kilgore
- Dave A. LaRock
- James A. “Jay” Leftwich
- Daniel W. Marshall, III
- John J. McGuire, III
- Jason S. Miyares
- James W. Morefield
- Kathleen Murphy
- Israel D. O’Quinn
- Robert D. Orrock, Sr.
- Charles D. Poindexter
- Margaret B. Ransone
- David A. Reid
- Roxann L. Robinson
- Chris S. Runion
- Nick Rush
- Don L. Scott
- Marcus B. Simon
- Wendell S. Walker
- William C. Wampler III