BILL WILL BENEFIT GUARDSMEN, RESERVISTS

Missouri residents who are called to active duty in the National Guard or military reserve in the future will be entitled to some special privileges under legislation sent to Gov. John Ashcroft's desk this session.

The measure also has several provisions that relate to citizens called to active service in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

"What this bill does is if someone is called to active duty as a guardsman or reservist, it gives them a number of special considerations that normal, everyday citizens are not given," explained state Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Doniphan, sponsor of the legislation.

For example, Driskill explained the new law would give people called to active duty relief from penalties associated with deadlines for license plates and drivers licenses, and would allow them to break or extend leases without penalty.

The measure also provides assurances that public employees would not be penalized in any way from their jobs for being away due to military active duty.

"I had a number of people activated from my district and this area recently, and many of them were also state employees who had additional concerns," said Driskill. "This legislation was high on my list of things to accomplish this year and I'm pleased we were able to do it."

Another key provision of the bill, and one that Driskill noted will likely have the most long-lasting consequences in Southeast Missouri, is authorization of the governor to continue using National Guard personnel and equipment in drug surveillance and interdiction.

Driskill explained that the guard had been involved with this some efforts previously, however, "a change in federal law meant that the state law allowing the guard to be used was no longer adequate to do what we wanted to do and had to be changed. This makes that appropriate change."

Had the law not been changed, Driskill said the state stood to lose $2.2 million in federal funds to support the surveillance efforts.

Driskill pointed out that last year National Guard helicopters were stationed at Willow Springs and Poplar Bluff and were flown almost every day over national forest land looking for plots of marijuana. With the law change, this program will be able to continue this year.

The representative noted that growing marijuana in isolated areas of southern Missouri is a major problem, particularly around national forest land. He said using guard equipment and personnel should go a long way to helping reduce that problem.

Another provision of Driskill's bill would authorize the governor to call the National Guard to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities in drug interdiction operations.

Provisions of the bill that relate directly to those who were called to active duty, deal primarily with higher education. Public college students called to active duty before the end of the semester have a choice to receive a complete refund for the class or take an "incomplete," which they must finish within six months of discharge or it will become a failing grade.

The bill also allows any student with a scholarship, who is unable to use it because of active duty, to use it at a later date.

Other parts of the legislation require that public employees called to active duty be given a leave of absence without any loss of position, seniority, accumulated leave or any other benefit the person is entitled to.

Another provision related to Missouri residents called to active duty in military conflicts postpones time extensions for motor vehicle licensing requirements, corporation filing and professional licensing requirements, traffic violations, reporting requirements for those who file a financial interest statement, income tax and property tax obligations, and proceedings before state agencies, boards or commissions.

The bill was approved by the General Assembly with an emergency clause, which means it will become effective immediately after it is signed by Gov. John Ashcroft.