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H. B. No. 1713 *HR43/R509* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
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To: Military Affairs;
Insurance
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Ford (54th), Foster,
Hall, Turner
HOUSE BILL NO. 1713
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI MILITARY DEPARTMENT TO 1
FACILITATE AND ADMINISTER A STATE SPONSORED LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM 2
FOR MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD; TO DESIGNATE THE 3
ADJUTANT GENERAL AS THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE PROGRAM; TO 4
AUTHORIZE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVES TO CONDUCT BRIEFINGS DURING 5
TRAINING PERIODS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 25-15-201, MISSISSIPPI 6
CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR 7
RELATED PURPOSES. 8
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 9
SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the following words 10
have the meanings as defined in this subsection: 11
(a) "State Sponsored Life Insurance Program" or 12
"program" means the life insurance program offered exclusively to 13
the members of the Mississippi National Guard through the National 14
Guard Association of Mississippi (NGAMS), as authorized under 37 15
USC Section 707. 16
(b) "Member" means any commissioned officer, warrant 17
officer, or enlisted member of the Mississippi Army National Guard 18
or the Mississippi Air National Guard. 19
(2) The Adjutant General of Mississippi shall serve as the 20
official sponsor of the State Sponsored Life Insurance Program 21
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and, in coordination with the National Guard Association of 22
Mississippi, shall: 23
(a) Facilitate and coordinate all efforts to make the 24
program available to all members of the Mississippi National 25
Guard; 26
(b) Provide opportunities for members to purchase, 27
enroll in, or modify coverage under the program, including the 28
designation or change of beneficiaries; 29
(c) Allow program representatives to provide 30
information and briefings on the program during annual training, 31
drill weekends, and other scheduled events to educate members 32
and their families on program benefits; and 33
(d) Facilitate and coordinate requested allotments for 34
the payment of premiums with the appropriate United States 35
Property and Fiscal Office, consistent with federal regulations 36
governing the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). 37
(3) Participation in the State Sponsored Life Insurance 38
Program shall be voluntary. Nothing in this section shall require 39
any member of the Mississippi National Guard to purchase or 40
maintain coverage. 41
(4) The National Guard Association of Mississippi shall 42
select the insurer or insurers used to provide coverage under the 43
State Sponsored Life Insurance Program and shall administer the 44
program in compliance with applicable federal and state law. 45
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ST: State Sponsored Life Insurance Program;
provide for National Guard members.
(5) The purpose of this section is to ensure that every 46
member of the Mississippi National Guard is afforded the 47
opportunity to learn about, enroll in, and benefit from the 48
protections offered by the State Sponsored Life Insurance Program 49
as part of the Military Department's ongoing efforts to support 50
service members and their families. 51
SECTION 2. Section 25-15-201, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 52
brought forward as follows: 53
25-15-201. The Military Department is authorized and 54
empowered to procure and pay for group death and dismemberment 55
insurance coverage to protect members of the National Guard and 56
their estates, or their named beneficiaries, to the extent of 57
Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) per person, if death or 58
dismemberment occurs while performing authorized state military 59
duty. The premiums on such insurance shall be calculated on a 60
man-day basis and coverage shall be in effect only during such 61
duty. 62
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 63
and after July 1, 2026. 64