Committee debates bill to create National Guard military‑police force, expand cyber corps and change veterans fund

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.

Supporters said the bill contains practical elements: Gabrielle Owens, general counsel for the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, said the bill codifies existing Military Family Relief Fund eligibility language (currently in administrative code) and preserves a waiver process so the Indiana Veterans Affairs Commission can respond to hardships; she told the committee the department received 2,626 applications in fiscal year 2025 and approved 1,307 of them, and that the fund balance is roughly $12,000,000. Ron Patterson of the American Legion and other veterans’ advocates urged use of the waiver to reach more veterans while maintaining financial stewardship.

But the National Guard policing provision drew sustained opposition. Former military police Edward Bowen told the committee military MP training ‘‘does not translate directly to a qualified … police officer’’ and warned that limited classroom MP instruction and a lack of civilian probationary patrol experience could erode community trust. Retired sergeant Lasema Packet said the Guard’s role as ‘‘neighbors’’ would be harmed if soldiers were repurposed as a domestic policing force: "I did not serve to see my uniform used to intimidate my neighbors," she said.

School safety language also featured in testimony. Chris Mitcham, speaking for the Indiana School Resource Officers Association, demonstrated a realistic replica pistol and supported the bill’s proposal to criminalize imitation firearms on K–12 campuses while keeping training and law‑enforcement exceptions.

Several witnesses — including county sheriffs and the Indiana Sheriffs Association — urged stronger communication and coordination with local law enforcement. Steve Luce of the Sheriffs Association said his group was neutral but could support the bill if amendments clarified notification procedures and used National Incident Management System (NIMS) structures or the state’s EMAC/special‑deputy frameworks.

Senators pressed the sponsors for limits: questions focused on when the governor could deploy trained Guardsmen for law enforcement duties, what ‘‘reasonable notice’’ to local agencies means, and whether the legislation would expand gubernatorial authority without legislative or local checks. Sponsors and supporters repeatedly said the bill is intended to prepare a small, trained force and to preserve existing authorities while tightening training requirements; opponents argued the provision belongs in a standalone, carefully defined bill.

The chair said several amendments addressing coordination, notification and emergency‑declaration triggers are under consideration. Noting the volume of testimony and unresolved concerns, the committee agreed the measure should be recommitted to appropriations for further amendment and review. The committee adjourned to allow drafting of amendments and additional vetting.

Next steps: HB 13‑43 will be recommitted to the appropriations committee for amendment; no final enactment occurred in this hearing.