Oklahoma National Guard; creating Defend the Guard Act; establishing conditions for release of National Guard into active duty combat. Effective date.

SB 2004, the "Defend the Guard Act," prevents Oklahoma National Guard members from being deployed to active duty combat unless the U.S. Congress formally declares war or specifically authorizes such deployment under constitutional provisions. It directly affects Oklahoma National Guard members and the state’s authority to release them for combat roles. The bill requires Congress to explicitly declare war or authorize the Guard for specific purposes (enforcing federal law, repelling invasion, or suppressing insurrection) before deployment; otherwise, the Governor must prevent such releases. It preserves the Governor’s ability to consent to domestic missions under federal law (Title 32) for civil support within the U.S. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.