HLS 24RS-285 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 61
BY REPRESENTATIVE HORTON
VETERANS: Provides relative to National Guard death and disability benefits
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 29:26.1(B)(9) and (D)(1), relative to the Louisiana National
3 Guard; to provide relative to definitions; to provide relative to death and disability
4 benefits; to change the qualifying period for benefits; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 29:26.1(B)(9) and (D)(1) are hereby amended and reenacted to read
8as follows:
9 ยง26.1. National Guard death and disability benefits
10 * * *
11 B. Definitions. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the
12 following meanings unless a different meaning is clearly required by context:
13 * * *
14 (9) "Period of activation" means service during any declared national
15 emergency or contingency operations as defined by 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13), or during
16 any state of emergency declared by the governor of the state of Louisiana, within any
17 of the following:
18 (a) That period, subsequent to September 11, 2001, for which the governor
19 of the state of Louisiana orders a guardsman into state active service pursuant to R.S.
20 29:7.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-285 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 61
1 (b) That period, subsequent to September 11, 2001, for which the president
2 of the United States orders a guardsman into active military duty, pursuant to 32
3 U.S.C. 502(f)(1).
4 (c) That period, subsequent to September 11, 2001, for which the president
5 of the United States orders a guardsman to federal active duty pursuant to 10 U.S.C.
6 12301, 12302, or 12303.
7 * * *
8 D. Benefits available. (1) During periods of activation, subsequent to
9 September 11, 2001, of a guardsman ordered by the governor or by the president of
10 the United States, benefits in a lump-sum amount of two hundred fifty thousand
11 dollars for a qualifying death, one hundred thousand dollars for a qualifying
12 disability, and fifty thousand dollars for a qualifying subsequent disability shall be
13 paid by the state to a guardsman or his beneficiary, when such death or disability
14 occurs during a period of activation in the line of duty as required by this Section.
15 Such benefits shall be paid only when funds are available, having been appropriated
16 for the purpose.
17 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 61 Original 2024 Regular Session Horton
Abstract: Changes the qualifying period for death and disability benefits for Louisiana
National Guardsmen or their beneficiaries.
Present law provides for death and disability benefits for members of the La. National Guard
or their beneficiaries.
Present law provides for benefits for death and disability incurred during a period of
activation, subsequent to September 11, 2001, in the line of duty to a guardsman or his
beneficiary.
Proposed law retains present law but removes the qualifying period of post September 11,
2001, and modifies the definition of "period of activation".
(Amends R.S. 29:26.1(B)(9) and (D)(1))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.