HD.5020 - An Act relative to ensuring emergency preparedness

Full Bill Name: An Act relative to ensuring emergency preparedness and responsible deployment of the Massachusetts National Guard

Current Status: Read more.

Background: The National Guard plays a critical role in protecting the American people, in times of war and natural disaster, and is not intended to be used for political purposes or as the President's private militia. There are increasing concerns around the use of the National Guard for non-essential functions without the consent of local governments, first in Los Angeles, and more recently in Washington DC. 

The Oregon House of Representatives passed legislation by a vote of 32-16 on June 20, 2025, after the President’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles, which would safeguard the use of their National Guard troops and make their deployment without consent more difficult. 

What this bill does:  Based on the bill passed by the Oregon House, this legislation would limit the Governor’s ability to assist or facilitate in federal deployment of the National Guard unless the deployment meets specific criteria, such as congressionally authorized military operations, formal disaster declarations, or lawful homeland security missions.