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H 7078Veterans & Military

Military Affairs and Defense - National Guard

This bill increases the state reimbursement limit for National Guard life insurance premiums from $400,000 to $500,000 coverage.

Held for study
Population
Affected
8
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 14, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This bill updates the benefits provided to members of the Rhode Island National Guard who are mobilized for more than thirty days. Currently, the state reimburses these members for the cost of federal term life insurance premiums on coverage up to $400,000. This legislation increases that reimbursement limit, requiring the state to cover premiums for the first $500,000 of life insurance coverage. The reimbursement comes from the state's general fund.

For younger readers

When soldiers in the National Guard have to go away for their job for more than a month, they are allowed to buy life insurance. This is a promise that if something bad happens to them, their family gets money to help pay for things. The state government helps pay for the cost of this insurance. Right now, the state pays for the cost on the first $400,000 of insurance. This new rule says the state will now pay for the cost on the first $500,000 of insurance. This helps soldiers save money.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
National Guard membersFamilies of National Guard membersState TaxpayersRhode Island TreasuryMilitary Recruiters
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Strengthens the financial safety net for the families of service members, ensuring they are better protected against economic hardship in the event of a tragedy.
  • Acknowledges the rising cost of living and inflation by adjusting benefit caps, ensuring that public servants receive support that reflects modern economic realities.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to the welfare of state employees who are often called upon to assist the community during domestic emergencies and natural disasters.
  • Allocates more money from the general fund to military-related expenses, which could otherwise be used for underfunded social services like housing or education.
  • Subsidizes federal military mobilization costs with state tax dollars, potentially shifting the financial burden away from the federal government where it belongs.
  • May be viewed as normalizing or encouraging military mobilization as a solution to problems rather than prioritizing non-military community service options.
For Conservatives
  • Demonstrates strong support for the military and honors the sacrifices made by National Guard members and their families in service to the state and country.
  • Helps to recruit and retain qualified individuals in the National Guard by ensuring their benefits package remains competitive and provides adequate family security.
  • Supports the traditional family unit by ensuring that breadwinners have the means to provide substantial financial protection for their dependents.
  • Increases state government spending and the burden on taxpayers by expanding an entitlement program funded through the general fund.
  • Shifts financial responsibility to the state for insurance costs that could arguably be the responsibility of the federal government or the individual service member.
  • Expands the scope of government handouts, potentially setting a precedent for further increases in state-subsidized benefits for public employees.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 5 additions · 4 deletions

SECTION 1. Section 30-3-40.4 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-3 entitled "National Guard" is hereby amended to read as follows: 30-3-40.4. Payment of life insurance premiums. Any member of the national guard who has been mobilized in excess of thirty (30) days and who elects coverage under a term life insurance policy issued by the federal government, shall be reimbursed from the general fund for the cost of premiums incurred by the member for said policy for any month or part thereof that the member has been mobilized. In the event that a member of the national guard elects coverage in an amount in excess of four five hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) ($500,000) under such policy, the member shall receive reimbursement from the general fund in an amount not to exceed the amount of the premiums attributable to the first four five hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) ($500,000) of coverage under said policy.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.