Establishes the "Defend the Guard Act"

HB 1228, the "Defend the Guard Act," requires the Missouri National Guard to remain under state control unless the U.S. Congress formally declares war. It prohibits deploying Missouri National Guard members into active combat (defined as participation in armed conflict, hazardous foreign service, or duty involving war) without such a congressional declaration, directing the governor to enforce this rule. The bill does not block all deployments, as it explicitly allows the governor to consent to Title 32 federal service (which keeps troops under state command). This directly affects Missouri National Guard members and the governor’s authority to deploy them. The bill is pending in committee and aligns with similar measures in ten other states.