Senate committee amends bill to replace 'militia' with 'National Guard'; legal counsel says change does not conflict with federal law

The Senate Committee on Veterans, Emergency Management, Federal and World Affairs on March 25 adopted the -1 amendments to Senate Bill 947, which replace the word “militia” with “National Guard” throughout Oregon statute and remove references to the unorganized militia.

The change, carried in the bill’s -1 amendment, replaces references to an “organized militia” with “National Guard,” swaps “unorganized militia” language for “general public” where the draft pool is discussed, and removes misdemeanor penalties tied to failing to report for a draft or hindering National Guard duties. Committee staff said the -1 amendment has no fiscal or revenue impact.

The amendment drew questions from multiple senators about whether altering statutory language would create a conflict with federal law or change constitutional obligations. Christopher Allnat, deputy legislative counsel, told the committee: “I would say…