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Committee debates bill to create National Guard military‑police force, expand cyber corps and change veterans fund
Summary
Lawmakers and dozens of speakers sparred over House Bill 13‑43, which would authorize a trained military‑police component of the Indiana National Guard, establish a Civilian Cyber Corps and revise Military Family Relief Fund rules; supporters cited preparedness and training, opponents warned of blurred military‑civil boundaries and called for clearer notice and safeguards.
Chairman Bridal opened consideration of House Bill 13‑43, a multi‑agency measure that would update National Guard purchasing rules, create an Indiana Civilian Cyber Corps, revise Military Family Relief Fund eligibility, and add a narrowly drawn prohibition on imitation firearms on school property. Representative Bartels, the bill’s author, framed the proposal as a package of administrative updates and preparedness measures.
Brig. Gen. Justin Mann, director of the joint staff for the Indiana National Guard, testified the measure focuses on ‘‘preparing and being ready for Indiana’s worst day’’ and on a small subset of guardsmen already trained as military police. ‘‘The governor, both past and present, already have complete statutory authority regarding deployment of the Indiana National Guard including conducting law enforcement,’’ Mann said, adding the bill pairs any new authorities with Indiana‑law bridge training and security‑clearance requirements and does not create new units.
Suppo…
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