RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia National Guard Association has spearheaded strengthening and protecting Soldiers’ and Airmen’s benefits for more than 60 years. From today’s warfighter deploying across the globe to aging heroes, the VNGA remains a leader in service members’ and veterans’ advocacy.

And 2023 was no exception.

The Commonwealth of Virginia’s General Assembly, the oldest continuously serving legislative body in the Americas, concluded February 27, 2023, after a 45-day legislative session. The Virginia National Guard Association played a critical role in the passage of several Guard-friendly bills that enhance or create new benefits for the Virginia National Guard.

“We had a banner year in 2023, and we’re so thankful for our dedicated members who sent hundreds of emails to their representatives through our webpage,” said Andrew J. Czaplicki, VNGA president. “But now is not the time to let up off the gas. We are already planning our 2024 agenda and need to continue our momentum heading into next session. In January, we will begin a new General Assembly and we need an active membership ready to hit the ground running.”

House Bill 1388, introduced by Delegate Hyland F. “Buddy” Fowler (R), representing House District 55, establishes free entry and parking at Virginia’s State Parks for currently serving members of the Virginia National Guard. The companion bill is Senate Bill 915, presented by Senator Joseph D. Morrissey, representing Senate District 16. This creates parity between State and National Parks for Soldiers and Airmen.

House Bill 1388 and Senate Bill 915 passed unanimously through the House of Delegates and Senate and was sent to the Governor for signature on March 2, 2023. The Governor is expected to sign the bill into law on March 27, 2023.

Senate Bill 1210, introduced by Senator T. Montgomery “Monty” Mason (D), representing Senate District 1, increases the state income tax subtraction from $3,000 to $6,000 and expands the cap from military paygrade of O-3 to O-5. The companion bill, House Bill 2373, patroned by Delegate Scott A. Wyatt, representing House District 97, differed slightly in that it expanded the benefit from $3,000 to $5,000 and extended the cap from military paygrade of O-3 to O-6. After passing both the House and Senate, a conference committee between the House of Delegates and the Senate was convened and a negotiated benefit was reached. The final approved legislation expands the income tax subtraction to $5,500 and raises the military paygrade cap to O-6.

Senate Bill 1210 and House Bill 2373 passed unanimously through the House of Delegates and Senate and were signed by the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on March 8, 2023, and will be sent to the Governor for signature and enactment.

Senate Bill 1202, introduced by Senator Bryce E. Reeves, representing Senate District 17, extends in-state tuition rates to non-Virginia residents who serve in the Virginia National Guard. After passing unanimously in the Senate was voluntarily tabled in the House Appropriations Committee at a vote of 19 to 2 in favor of the passage of a similar agency-sponsored bill, Senate Bill 955, presented by Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr., representing Senate District 15.

Senate Bill 955 allows public colleges and universities to enter into special financial arrangements with the Virginia Department of Military Affairs for the purpose of providing reduced rate tuition. Additionally, the bill directs that non-Virginia students may receive in-state tuition rates during the Junior and Senior years, among other tenets.

Senate Bill 955 passed unanimously through the House of Delegates, after originally being tabled in the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 17 and then reconsidered Feb. 20, 2023, and Senate and were signed by the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate on March 8, 2023, and will be sent to the Governor for signature and enactment.

“This year, we continued laying the groundwork for the benefits out servicemembers, retirees and their families have earned,” Czaplicki said. “In 2024, the VNGA will build off our successes with our unrelenting advocacy. Our Soldiers and Airmen deserve nothing less.”