HLS 24RS-285 REENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 61
BY REPRESENTATIVES HORTON, ADAMS, AMEDEE, BAYHAM, BILLINGS,
BOYD, BRYANT, ROBBY CARTER, WILFORD CARTER, CHASSION,
CHENEVERT, DAVIS, DICKERSON, ECHOLS, EMERSON, FONTENOT,
JACKSON, MIKE JOHNSON, TRAVIS JOHNSON, KNOX, MOORE, OWEN,
RISER, SCHAMERHORN, SCHLEGEL, SELDERS, TAYLOR, AND WALTERS
VETERANS: Provides relative to National Guard death and disability benefits
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 29:26.1(B)(9) (introductory paragraph), relative to the Louisiana
3 National Guard; to provide relative to definitions; to provide relative to death and
4 disability benefits; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 29:26.1(B)(9)(introductory paragraph) is hereby amended and
7reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง26.1. National Guard death and disability benefits
9 * * *
10 B. Definitions. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the
11 following meanings unless a different meaning is clearly required by context:
12 * * *
13 (9) "Period of activation" means service during any declared national
14 emergency or contingency operations as defined by 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13), or during
15 any state of emergency declared by the governor of the state of Louisiana any period
16 of state active duty ordered by the governor of the state of Louisiana pursuant to R.S.
17 29:7, within any of the following:
18 * * *
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-285 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 61
1 Section 2. The provisions of this Act shall apply to all deaths or disabilities occurring
2on or after January 1, 2024.
3 Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
4signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
5by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
6vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
7effective on the day following such approval.
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 Reengrossed 2024 Regular Session Horton
Abstract: Provides relative to 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 Sept. 11, 2001, in the line of duty to a guardsman or his
beneficiary.
Proposed law retains present law and modifies the definition of "period of activation".
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 29:26.1(B)(9)(intro. para.))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Judiciary to the original
bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Modify the definition of "period of activation".
3. Add an effective date.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.