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Committee adopts amendment naming military retirement bill for CW5 Chris Rowe and advances changes to Guard retirement rules

Veterans and Military Affairs Committee · February 12, 2026

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Summary

Senate Bill 13‑76 (committee substitute) was amended to add the 'CW5 Chris Rowe Act,' restores uniform military justice language and sets a five‑year Oklahoma Guard minimum for state retirement eligibility; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 9‑0.

Senator Hines presented the committee substitute for SB 13‑76 and asked the committee to adopt an amendment that would add a new section naming the legislation the 'CW5 Chris Rowe Act' in honor of a recently deceased guard member who supported recruiting efforts.

Hines explained several substantive changes in the committee substitute, including restoring uniform military justice (CMJ) language to restrict demotions by junior officers and a provision intended to ensure full‑time Guard members receive pay consistent with their military rank. He also described a new requirement that a member serve at least five years in the Oklahoma National Guard to be eligible for the state's retirement benefit tied to Guard service.

Senator Wingard questioned how family members would prove a grandchild's relationship in the earlier bill and then pursued detailed questions here about the definition of a 'full‑time state employee' and whether AGR (Active Guard Reserve) or federal technicians would already be paid at their rank. Hines said the language reflected discussions with the TAG and was designed to make pay consistent with equivalent active duty ranks; he acknowledged he could not name specific AGR examples where rank pay was not matched.

Wingard and other members extensively debated the five‑year minimum, with Wingard arguing five years may be too short and could incentivize transfers to the Oklahoma Guard, while Hines and supporters said the change promotes retention and recruitment and protects the state's financial exposure compared with last year's version that had no in‑state minimum.

The committee adopted the naming amendment and later voted to advance the committee substitute as amended. The clerk recorded 9 ayes and 0 nays.