New Bill Directs How National Guard Handles State Reimbursements for Equipment Use

This bill, the "Guarding Readiness Resources Act," updates the rules for how the National Guard Bureau manages money it gets back from states.

Specifically, it amends Title 32 of the U.S. Code (Section 710) to add a new subsection (g). This new rule dictates what happens when a state, Puerto Rico, D.C., Guam, or the Virgin Islands pays the National Guard Bureau back for using military property, like vehicles or equipment, during state-led missions.

Earmarking the Reimbursements

The core change is about accounting and spending. When the National Guard Bureau receives these reimbursement funds, the bill requires that the money be credited back to either the specific funding account originally used for that property or to a relevant account that's currently active.

Think of it like this: if a state uses Guard trucks during a flood response and pays the Bureau back for the wear and tear, this law ensures that money goes into a pot specifically designated for military property needs.

Keeping State-Deployed Gear in Shape

The bill puts clear limits on how these reimbursed funds can be spent. According to the text, the Department of Defense can only use this money for "repair, maintenance, replacement, or similar functions" directly related to the assets used by National Guard units when they are operating under State active duty status.

This means the funds are specifically targeted to maintain the equipment that Guard members rely on during state emergencies (like natural disasters or civil disturbances), ensuring those resources remain ready for future state-level deployments. It prevents the reimbursements from being absorbed into general funds, keeping them focused on the upkeep of state-utilized Guard assets.