Gov. Beshear signs into law bill Rep. Will Coursey sponsored to help National Guardsmen, their families

RepCourseyBillSigningFRANKFORT – Gov. Steve Beshear ceremonially signed into law this week what state Rep. Will Coursey called his legislative highlight of the year, an initiative to help members of the National Guard and their families by increasing access to non-Guard related activities designed to boost morale.

The passage of that law, as well as two other new ones he sponsored to streamline the state’s oversight of military-related matters, came during the first legislative session in which Rep. Coursey, D-Benton, chaired the House Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee. The laws go into effect this month.

“Serving as chair of this committee and being the point person for making sure our men and women in uniform and veterans have what they need is truly an honor,” said Rep. Coursey, D-Benton. “I’m proud to sponsor these new laws and know they will help us better meet that goal going forward.”

Under his House Bill 358, the state’s Department of Military Affairs will now have the authority to create a privately funded “Morale, Welfare and Recreation” fund, which will provide non-Guard related programs and services at Guard facilities.

Those could include installing fitness equipment or adding a canteen, temporary housing or on-site daycare. Rep. Coursey noted that no tax dollars will be used in this regard, but that someone had promised a sizeable donation if the legislation became law. “Our National Guard is truly second to none, so I know this law will be well-received across the state,” he said. “By strengthening their family life, we can increase their likelihood that more will decide to join and stay in the Guard for years to come.”

The other two laws signed by Gov. Beshear this week will update the membership requirements for the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs and the rules governing maintenance of National Guard armories and other state-operated military properties.