PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Senate on Thursday voted to create a new volunteer state military force, a step which the sponsor says is needed because the National Guard could be unavailable for in-state emergencies under a new federal law.
|
|
The sponsor, Republican Sen. Jack Harper of Surprise, said it is a response to a federal law enacted last year that gives the president new authority to place state national guards under federal control. That could lead to the Arizona National Guard being unavailable for floods or other emergencies, he said.
Citing concerns for states' responsibilities and constitutional authority, the National Governors Association last August unsuccessfully urged Congress to reject the federal legislation that would allow presidents to federalize state national guards without the consent of governors.
Approximately two dozen other states already have state defense forces other than their national guards.
Some lawmakers had questioned during committee hearings whether Harper, an early proponent of using the National Guard to help secure the border from illegal immigration, intended that the new force to be used for that purpose as well.
He offered assurances otherwise. ``People understand that it is not a bill about an armed militia to guard that border,'' Harper said Thursday.
Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano's administration has not taken a formal position on the bill, but a Department of Emergency and Military Affairs official questioned during committee hearing testimony whether the proposed force is needed.
The bill (SB1132) would appropriate $10,000 for implementation costs, chiefly reimbursement of volunteers' expenses.
The National Guard would be authorized to train force members. Training would be limited to one Saturday per month.
Sixteen Republicans and four Democrats voted for the bill, while eight Democrats voted against it.
On the Net:
Arizona Legislature: http://www.azleg.state.az.leg
State Guard Association of the United States: http://www.sgaus.org/
Comments