Legislative Agenda

Legislative Agenda

WE ARE PNGAS, the Pennsylvania National Guard Association. We are the only organization exclusively promoting the highest levels of readiness, modernization and quality of life for our 19,438 members, 67,500 veterans of the Pennsylvania National Guard, their spouses, and their families, while making sure our men and women have the very-best equipment, training, and resources. Over the next 12 months, the Pennsylvania National Guard must recruit more than 2,300 new members to replace Guard members that have completed their commitments and/or retired. As a direct result, PNGAS legislative, budget and mission priorities reflect the critical need to attract, train and retain quality women and men in the Guard and recognize institutions that help optimize recruitment, retention and procurement strategies of the Pennsylvania National Guard.The PNGAS mission helps members, veterans, spouses, and their families get the benefits they have earned.

To strengthen the Guard, PNGAS adopts this 2024 Legislative Agenda and directs its energies, resources and talents be specifically focused to secure swift passage of these PNGAS priorities:

  • The Educational Assistance Program (“EAP”) is the #1 recruiting and retention tool for the Pennsylvania National Guard and remains a top budget priority of PNGAS. This year, PNGAS strongly supports full funding and support from the General Assembly and Governor.

  • Military Family Education Program (MFEP), designed as a top retention tool, PNGAS supports full funding and support from the General Assembly and Governor in the state budget.

  • Keystone State Challenge Academy. PNGAS supports full funding and support from the General Assembly and Governor in the state budget.

  • HB 1401 Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Bill (PROBST) An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in disabled veterans' real estate tax exemption, further providing for exemption. This bill would provide VA disabled veterans with 10-90% rating prorated property tax exemption.

  • DMVA BUDGET. PNGAS supports full funding and support from the General Assembly and Governor in the state budget.

PNGAS supports the following legislation:

SB 162Medical Officer or Health Officer Incentive Program Revision(HUTCHINSON) - An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in military educational programs relating to medical officer or health officer incentive program, further providing for definitions, for establishment of program, for program stipend, for additional incentives, for recoupment of incentive payments and for adjustment of stipend amounts; and making editorial changes.

HB 424Increasing State Sponsored Life Insurance to 400,000. (HAMM) -An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania National Guard, further providing for association group life insurance for Pennsylvania National Guard members.

HB 1450Expanding Decoration Eligibility for Military Members of Friendly Foreign Nations (DONAHUE) - An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in decorations, medals, badges and awards, further providing for authorized decorations, medals, badges and awards.

SB 209/ HB 502 Providing Children of National Guard/Reserve Members the Same Benefits Under the Military Interstate Children’s Compact (PENNYCUICK/GUENST)- An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in professional employees, providing for National Guard or Reserve parent student support.

SB 615 National Guard Service Tax Credit (BROOKS) - An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for National Guard service tax credit.

Federal Priorities will align with The National Guard Association of the United States and The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States via Resolutions submitted.

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