An Act To Prohibit The Maine National Guard From Combat Deployment Absent An Act Of The United States Congress

This bill prohibits the Maine National Guard from being deployed for combat in a foreign country without a formal declaration of war by the U.S. Congress or a specific constitutional authorization under Article I, Section 8, Clause 15 of the U.S. Constitution. It defines "active duty combat" to include participating in armed conflict, performing hazardous duties in a foreign conflict, or using weapons of war. The bill does not restrict the Governor from deploying the Guard for domestic civil missions, such as disaster response or emergencies within the U.S., which remains permitted under federal law (32 U.S.C. §103). The law requires the Governor to ensure compliance with this prohibition for any overseas combat deployment.