Three bills that would help military service members and veterans advanced in senate committees this week, including one sponsored by Senator Todd Gardenhire, to give in-state tuition and fees to dependent children of military parents if the parent perished as the result of a targeted attack that occurred in Tennessee, regardless of their place of residency. Senate Bill 1431, which was approved by the Senate Education Committee, would affect the children of the five military service members who perished in the Chattanooga terrorist attack.
“This is the least we can do for the children of these soldiers,” said Senator Gardenhire.
“I want to thank House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick for allowing me to be the Senate sponsor of this legislation.”
Legislation was approved in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday to protect National Guard reservists from losing their jobs in connection with their service. State law provides protection for residents who take a leave of absence in accordance with orders from the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard; however, the protections are not provided to reservists who work here but serve in another state’s reserves. Senate Bill 1444 extends the protection to members of the Army or Air National Guard of any other state.
“Our guardsmen already sacrifice enough,” said Senator Brian Kelsey, sponsor of the bill. “Let’s help them keep their jobs when called to serve.”
The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee approved a resolution sponsored by Senator Mike Bell asking Congress and President Obama to review and revise the law and policy regarding the carrying of firearms by military service members on military installations or facilities. Bell said the revisions are needed so that personnel can both help prevent and more readily defend themselves from terrorist attacks.
The Department of Defense restricts the carrying of firearms and the use of deadly force by military and civilian personnel on military installations through the issuance of Directive 5210.56. Senate Joint Resolution 391 comes after acts of domestic terrorism occurred on military facilities, including Fort Hood in 2009, a Little Rock military recruiting center in 2009, the Washington Navy Yard in 2013 and Chattanooga on July 16, 2015. The resolution recognizes the mounting threat of domestic attacks inspired by the Islamic State and also encourages the Secretary of Defense to review and revise the directive to reduce the restrictions currently in place in order to protect U.S. Armed Forces personnel.
In related news on Capitol Hill this week, Governor Bill Haslam said in his annual State of the State address that his budget proposal will include homeland security upgrades for the military department.
The governor’s budget includes $1.6 million for an emergency phone system, window film, magnetic locks, a security camera system, privacy screens and bollards to protect soldiers at state military installations.