Over the past week, our Office of Government & Legislative Affairs division has been tirelessly working to advance legislative efforts for State Defense Forces (SDFs) across the country. Specifically, we have focused our efforts on West Virginia’s Senate Bill 491, also known as the “West Virginia Volunteer State Defense Guard Act.” This bill, which is currently stalled in the state’s Military Committee, has become a key point of advocacy for us. Despite setbacks and challenges, we remain determined to push this bill forward in the West Virginia State Senate.
After a week of calls and conversations, we successfully secured two meetings with members of the Military Committee. Tomorrow, we will discuss the bill with Senator Fuller, and later in the week, we will speak with Senator Rucker. Although we were informed that last week marked the final day to place bills before the committee, a senior staff member shared some encouraging news: “Standing and select committees of the Senate may originate a bill or joint resolution and report the same after the introduction deadline.” This piece of law gives us hope that SB 491 may still be considered despite the missed deadline, and we are committed to working diligently to ensure it is added to the schedule.
However, advocating for legislation and reaching out to legislators and federal agencies has proven to be an extremely challenging task for our small team. With limited staff, resources, and time, we struggle to balance these vital legislative advocacy efforts with other core initiatives. This highlights the urgent need for us to expand our operations, particularly in the area of legislative advocacy. To meet these demands, we urgently need to hire a full-time employee dedicated to reaching out to State Representatives, Senators, and federal agencies. This person would help facilitate the ongoing development and utilization of State Defense Forces across the nation.
To make this possible, we are launching our 2026 Fundraiser tomorrow (Click Here – To Get Special Access to Donate Early). We invite you to contribute to this important cause. Your support will allow us to hire the necessary staff to advocate for the creation of new State Defense Forces, push for more benefits for current State Defense Forces, and advocate that State Defense Forces become more integral to a States Homeland Defense and Disaster Response operations. It will also allow us to setup and develop our Quartermaster Corps program, which will support individual soldiers across the country by assisting with travel reimbursements, new uniform allocations, and providing meals during weekend drills to State Defense Forces with limited budgets.
In addition to West Virginia, we have also initiated outreach in Georgia, where we are working with a State Senator to explore the possibility of introducing legislation that would ensure Georgia State Defense Force troops are paid when activated for State Active Duty. We’re hoping a bill could be introduced in the 2026 session, but most likely it will have to wait to The 2027 sessio\n. Stay tuned for updates on this important advocacy work.
On a positive note, we are thrilled to share that we have been collaborating with a major non-profit organization with significant influence on national and state matters. Over the past few months, we have been working together to approach two critical areas for State Defense Forces. First, we are advocating for each state to develop their own State Guard. This is increasingly important in today’s world, where world tensions are high, conflicts and wars are erupting in various parts of the world, and the likelihood of National Guard deployments to these conflict zones are a high probability. A state based military force can help assume the duties of the National Guard when The National Guard is federalized and deployed overseas. Second, we are addressing the issue of uniform policies. Some states have adopted new uniforms that could endanger the life of their troops, as well as The Americans they interact with in disaster zones, and we are working closely with a Senior Advisor of This NGO on “how to reverse these negative and worrying trends”.
As part of this partnership, we are also working to beginning to formulate a Backgrounder that will provide in depth knowledge and insights on State Defense Forces. This Backgrounder will serve as a tool to educate policymakers and the public on the importance of State Defense Forces, offering historical data, operational details, and policy recommendations. It will also propose legislative actions to improve SDFs, such as expanding funding, enhancing training, integrating them into Homeland Defense & Disaster Operations and offering more robust benefits for those who serve in The State Guard.
What Will a Backgrounder Do for State Defense Forces?
- Establishes the Foundation: The Backgrounder will explain why State Defense Forces are essential. It will delve into the historical precedents, legal basis, and strategic significance of maintaining state-based military forces independent of federal control.
- Clarifies Operational and Fiscal Impact: It will clarify how SDFs operate, the responsibilities they take on, and the resources required to ensure their readiness. It will highlight how they play a crucial role in disaster response, border security, and military readiness.
- Promotes Policy Recommendations: The Backgrounder will offer policy recommendations for legislative actions that can improve SDFs, from expanding funding to strengthening recruitment efforts.
How Will This Affect the Future of State Defense Forces?
- Legislative Impact: By providing this well researched policy recommendation, the Backgrounder will serve as a tool for legislative advocacy. It will equip lawmakers with the facts necessary to introduce or support new legislation to formalize or expand State Defense Forces in their states.
- Shaping Public Opinion: It will also educate the public, advocacy groups, and community leaders about the need for well-funded, well-trained SDFs. This will help generate grassroots support for state legislation that improves or creates new State Defense Forces.
- Positioning State Defense Forces for the Future: The recommendations in the Backgrounder will help position SDFs as key pillars of state resilience, capable of responding to local emergencies, supporting National Guard operations, and defending state interests.
What Is the Impact Nationwide?
- National Security: The Backgrounder will advocate for the expansion of SDFs as an alternative to utilizing The National Guard for state emergencies, as the National Guard must remain focused on meeting their TRADOC and AETC requirements.
- Legislative Momentum: The Backgrounder will inspire other states to create their own SDFs, contributing to a nationwide movement that prioritizes defense at the state level.
- Financial and Operational Impact: By demonstrating the cost effectiveness of SDFs, the Backgrounder will help persuade states to invest in these forces, improving their capacity to handle emergencies and strengthening the nation’s security infrastructure.
BUT, we need your support to accomplish these goals. Please donate what you can to our fundraiser so that we can hire a full-time employee, expand our advocacy efforts, and work with legislators and state defense forces to ensure that our troops are equipped, supported, and ready for service. With your help, we can make a significant difference in the future of State Defense Forces and our national preparedness.
StateDefenseForce.com is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, so all donations are tax-deductible and help with your tax refund.
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Your generous contribution will be recognized across all our platforms! Early donors will have their names highlighted on our websites and prominently featured in our news, podcasts, articles, and more as key supporters, individuals who have played a pivotal role in shaping a brighter future for State Defense Forces.
Thank you for your continued support!
