Committee hears bill to extend veterans' hiring preference to current Guard members and military spouses

The Committee on Veterans and Military on Friday heard testimony on House Bill 2626, which would extend the state's public-employment veteran preference to current National Guard and Reserve members and to eligible spouses.

Supporters said the change would close a gap in Kansas law that leaves some currently serving guardsmen and reservists without preference because they have not been federally activated. "This bill really just closes that gap, and does the right thing for our guardsmen and our reservists that are here in the state," Lieutenant Colonel Keith Marshall of the Kansas Adjutant General's Department told the committee.

Proponents said the measure would also help military spouses, who face higher unemployment and frequent relocations. Michelle, identified in testimony as the Midwest regional liaison for the Defense State Liaison Office, said military spouses are a highly skilled demographic and that administrative verification should not be a barrier. "Requiring a spouse to obtain a form signed by their service member's commander is an unnecessary burden for both the military family and the unit itself," she said, urging the committee to remove the specific commander-signed certification requirement and consider alternative documentation such as a military ID or orders.

The bill text as introduced includes definitions for eligible spouses and service members, limits the preference to initial hiring and the first promotion if the applicant is competent to perform the job, and mirrors an existing rank exclusion in state law that generally limits preference to pay grades O-4 and below for service members. Committee staff clarified that the exclusion for members of pay grade O-4 or above is in the drafted language, but that the bill also states that this exclusion "shall not apply to eligible spouses."

Proponents framed the bill as a retention tool. Marshall said having service members living close to their units reduces commuting burdens and improves reenlistment rates. The Defense State Liaison Office witness said the department would support including all service members (no rank limit) and offered drafting suggestions to remove the commander-certificate requirement.

Committee members did not record any opponents during the hearing. The sponsor provided a copy of a proposed amendment for the reviser to consider; the committee closed the hearing on the bill and will consider whether to take final action later this week.