RICHMOND, Va. –
Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, updated members of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations on the Virginia National Guard and discussed the Va. Guard’s legislative initiatives for the 2016 session of the Virginia General Assembly Jan. 16, 2016, in Richmond, Virginia. The JLC provides a vehicle for veterans service organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to collaborate with the Department of Veterans Services on meeting the needs of Virginia’s veterans.
“The JLC is the one group that brings together the wide array of military organizations in Virginia from a veteran’s perspective,” Williams said. “They are educating members of the General Assembly about veterans and military issues, so it is important they understand the particular challenges we face and the issues that impact our Soldiers and Airmen. Meeting with them gives us an opportunity to provide them a better understanding of what the Guard is doing, then they can turn around and help tell our story to the legislators.”
For more information about the JLC, visit http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/dvs/joint-leadership-council-veterans-service-organizations/.
The Virginia Department of Military Affairs sponsored the following bills for the 2016 session of the Virginia General Assembly:
HB 1176 / SB330 ~ In-state tuition; members of the Virginia National Guard
Introduced by Delegate Richard L. Anderson and Senator Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr.
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
In-state tuition; members of the Virginia National Guard. Provides that any member of the Virginia National Guard residing in Virginia shall be eligible for in-state tuition at a public institution of higher education.
Read more
http://go.usa.gov/cEKc5
http://go.usa.gov/cEKcV
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SB 293 ~ Virginia National Guard Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Program and Fund; established
Introduced by Senator Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr.
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Virginia National Guard Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Program and Fund. Establishes the Virginia National Guard Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Program and Fund to provide leisure, recreation, and lodging opportunities for Virginia National Guard members and their families, Virginia Defense Force members and their families, employees of the Department of Military Affairs and their families, and other users of Department facilities as authorized by the Adjutant General.
Read more:
http://go.usa.gov/cEKcH
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HB 1175 ~ Virginia National Guard and Virginia Defense Force; pay allowance
Introduced by Delegate Richard L. Anderson
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
National Guard and Virginia Defense Force; pay allowance. Clarifies the pay calculation for both the National Guard and Virginia Defense Force on state active duty.
Read more:
http://go.usa.gov/cEKch
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HB 921 ~ National Guard members of other states; employment protection
Introduced by Delegate T. Montgomery “Monty” Mason
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Members of the National Guard of other states; employment protection. Provides any member of the National Guard of any other state called to perform state active duty or military duty the right to (i) take leave without pay from nongovernmental employment; (ii) retain vacation or other accrued leave; (iii) be restored to the position held prior to active duty or a comparable vacant position upon honorable release; and (iv) not be denied initial employment, reemployment, retention in employment promotion, or any benefit of employment. Current law provides such protections only to members of the National Guard of Virginia and Virginia Defense Force.
Read more:
http://go.usa.gov/cEKx4
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HB 1051 ~ Virginia Defense Force and Virginia National Guard; discipline
Introduced by Delegate Todd E. Pillion
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Virginia Defense Force; Virginia National Guard; discipline. Clarifies that state active duty and training duty are subject to discipline and that the discipline is limited to nonjudicial punishment.
Read more:
http://go.usa.gov/cEKxz
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HB 1052 ~ Virginia Defense Force; clarifies definition of training duty
Introduced by Delegate Todd E. Pillion
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Virginia Defense Force; training duty. Clarifies the definition of training duty for the Virginia Defense Force.