Committee advances bill requiring ordained chaplains for state militia; companion Senate bill carried over

The Veteran Services Committee voted to report House Bill 3798 favorably after a brief presentation and a voice vote. The bill would require military chaplains serving in the National Guard and organized militia to be properly ordained and endorsed for military service by an accredited agency or organization and to hold privileged communication status for militia members, authorized dependents and authorized personnel.

An unidentified committee member summarized the bill for members, saying, "House bill 3798 will require military chaplains serving in the National Guard, organized militia ... to be properly ordained and endorsed for military service by an accredited agency or organization." The chair then called for a motion; Senator Grant moved a favorable report and the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

Members noted that HB 3798 and Senate Bill S870 are companion measures. The committee passed HB 3798 out favorably and, by separate motion, carried over S870 for further consideration at a later date rather than acting on it today.

The measure as presented focuses on credentialing for chaplains and on establishing privileged communications protections for service members and their authorized dependents. No public witnesses were recorded for the bill during this hearing.

Next steps: HB 3798 will be reported out of the committee as recommended; the companion S870 will be carried over for future action.