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…