Your Voice in Action: Legislative Update for NGAUT Members
Updated: Oct 21
By Maj Bruce Weaver, Air Legislative Trustee
Fellow Members of the National Guard Association of Utah,
It is an honor to serve as your Legislative Trustee for Air, representing your interests and advocating for the priorities that strengthen our force and support our families. This year has already been incredibly productive, thanks in large part to your engagement and the powerful ideas brought forth by our members.
Our annual NGAUT State Conference in March was a tremendous success. We came together to discuss, debate, and vote on resolutions that will shape our legislative focus at the national level. I am proud to report that all five resolutions presented were passed and have been forwarded to the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) for consideration at the upcoming national conference. The passed resolutions advocate for:
Modernization of the Army's UH-72 Lakota helicopter fleet.
Predictable federal funding to avoid training disruptions during government shutdowns.
VA Home Loan benefit parity to ensure equitable access for Guard members.
Locality pay for Title 32 Technicians to align their compensation with their duty location.
Coverage of out-of-pocket medical costs for mandatory, duty-specific physicals.
These achievements began with you. Your ideas are the foundation of our legislative efforts. While the state conference is our primary forum for voting on resolutions, the process of developing and refining these proposals is a year-round effort. We encourage you to submit your ideas to us at any time. The sooner we receive them, the more time we have to collaborate with subject matter experts, conduct thorough research, and prepare a strong case for the next conference in March.
At the state level, we saw significant victories during the 2026 Utah Legislative General Session. Several key initiatives impacting the National Guard, including priorities championed by our TAG, were passed into law:
H.B. 132 & S.B. 7: Key amendments that enhance The Adjutant General’s ability to support state operations and manage the Guard’s budget.
H.B. 177: Allows ROTC members to qualify for in-state tuition, making military service more accessible for future leaders.
S.B. 27: Strengthens penalties for assaulting a service member or their family.
S.B. 90: Helps service members and veterans use their military experience to fulfill state licensing requirements.
S.B. 220: Expands the state's Veteran Scholarship Program.
Your voice matters. Please continue to share your suggestions and help us advocate for the issues that are important to you and your organization.
Originally published in the NGAUT 2026 Summer Newsletter.
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