Committee Recommits Indiana National Guard Modernization Bill; Expands Benefits, Raises Funeral Reimbursement

The Veterans Affairs and Military Committee on an unspecified date recommitted House Bill 1111 to the Appropriations Committee after supporters described it as a modernization measure for the Indiana National Guard that expands education benefits, updates state military awards and raises the state's funeral reimbursement for guardsmen killed on state active duty.

Representative Bartel, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure updates state employee status for guardsmen ordered to state active duty and expands use of the National Guard tuition supplement fund to cover credentialing, licensing, trade and apprenticeship programs. "This bill will provide the maximum funeral expense reimbursement up to now $20,000," Representative Bartel said, noting the current statutory funeral reimbursement had last been updated in 2003.

The bill also proposes revisions to award and decoration language and adds several new state awards, including an Indiana distinguished service-type award, an Indiana achievement medal and additional recognitions for outstanding airmen and soldiers, language supporters said. The measure includes a provision allowing a National Guard member who qualifies for the 21st Century Scholars (referred to in testimony as the "20 first Century Scholarship") to use the National Guard tuition supplement fund toward room and board or other approved educational expenses.

General Larry Munick, the Adjutant General for the Indiana National Guard, testified in support and said the changes can be implemented within current appropriations. "I am General Larry Munick, the Adjutant General for the Indiana National Guard," he told the committee, adding, "the most recent fiscal note that I saw has 0 financial impact on this bill. We can do everything within appropriations, current appropriations." Munick said the National Guard comprises about 12,000 soldiers and airmen — "The Army Guard, sir, is just over 10,000. The Air Guard is right at 2,000" — and that the Guard provided roughly $400,000,000 of direct economic impact in 2023, as he described it.

Supporters framed the bill as a recruitment and workforce-development tool. "This bill will help address our challenges," Munick said, linking expanded scholarship and credentialing eligibility to producing more electricians, welders and engineers from guard service. Student speaker Leonardo Martinez, a Fishers High School student and Indiana National Guard member, said allowing aid for room and board would improve recruiting: "I find it difficult to recruit because a lot of people have their tuition bills paid for, but they still don't have their room and board paid for," Martinez said, urging changes so more young Hoosiers can take advantage of educational benefits.

Other witnesses included Jim Byerly, who spoke for the Military Veterans Coalition of Indiana and later as the U.S. Army Reserve ambassador for Indiana, and Jeff Kummer, executive director of the National Guard Association of Indiana and chair of the Indiana Big 4 (American Legion, VFW and DAB). Both expressed support for the bill's changes to benefits and recognition.

Committee members asked several implementation questions. Senators asked how the Guard will promote the expanded benefits to potential recruits and how the bill aligns with efforts to improve ASVAB test preparation and retesting. Munick said the Guard is improving connectivity with state agencies and runs ASVAB tutoring and retesting support for prospective recruits, and he offered to provide more detailed answers on the frequency of ASVAB revisions after the hearing.

Votes at a glance: the committee moved and seconded the bill and voted to recommit House Bill 1111 to the Appropriations Committee. The committee recorded a 7-0 tally at the initial roll call; two senators who arrived late subsequently recorded aye votes for the bill, and the chair announced the bill would be recommitted to appropriations.

The bill remains before the Appropriations Committee for further consideration.