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Minutes for SB370 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Creating the defend the guard act to establish when the Kansas national guard may be released into active duty combat and to prohibit COVID-19 vaccination requirements for national guard members.
Minutes Content for Mon, Jan 31, 2022
The Chairman opened the hearing and called upon Jason Long for a Revisor review of the bill.
Proponent Bob Corkins espoused the importance of the people and government of the United States being fully committed to a hazardous conflict before being able to place Kansas Guard individuals in harm's way. Mr. Corkins addressed the current fiscal note and the implausibility of risking federal funding.
Proponent Sgt. Dan McKnight provided a detailed discussion of judicial and constitutional considerations regarding the committing of state militia to dangerous situations.
Proponent Al Terwelp pointed out that for sometime now federal executives have again and again committed citizens to war without the legitimate political authority of the people or Congress (the representatives of the people). The provisions of this bill would not come into play if there existed a legal declaration of war. Mr. Al Terwelp adressed his organizations opposition to military mandated vaccines.
Proponent Sgt. John Hauer, shared the positive perspective of an active military individual but also pursued the harm that comes to a soldier when engaged in an armed conflict were war has not been declared. Sgt. Hauer cited that his tour of the undeclared war in Iraq to win the hearts and minds of the Iraq people seemed to actually result in an opposite effect.
Proponent Lauren Shiffman discussed why she believes that the requirement of armed forces being required to take covid vaccines is in conflict with the U.S Constitution and other medically related military policies.
Written-Only Proponents:
Sgt. James Doyle, Belleville City
Jeffrey Jansen, Paola, KS
Sgt. Earl McIntosh, Topeka, KS
Shawn Heald, Libertarian Party of KS
Leann Moore, Wichita, KS
Maj. Daniel Sjursen, Lawrence, KS
Neutral Major Kari Beth Neuhold thanked the committee for its support of the Kansas National Guard. While Major Neuhold recognized the neutral fiscal note, she expressed concerns regarding the possible loss of funding and resources committed to the Kansas Guard.
Committee discussion raised questions regarding the message to the Department of Defense.
Seeing no more testimony, the Chairman closed the hearing on the bill.
