HARRISBURG, June 21, 2022 − The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee has unanimously passed legislation introduced by State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) that would increase the minimum daily wage for Guard personnel. Pennsylvania National on active duty.

Senate Bill 1286 would increase the state special duty and state active duty minimum daily rate of pay for members of the National Guard from the current rate of $100 per day to $180 per day. The bill is sponsored by the co-chairs of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Senator Muth and Senator Pat Stefano (R-Fayette/Somerset/Westmoreland)

“As the cost of everything continues to rise, it is imperative that we increase the minimum daily rate of pay for members of our National Guard to reflect a more sustainable salary and allow the National Guard to recruit and retain the members of the Guard who provide so much critical support to our Commonwealth,” Muth said. “I appreciate the support of my colleagues on the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and hope that this bill will be voted on by the full Senate before it leaves Harrisburg this summer.”

Pennsylvania National Guard personnel are entitled to “State Special Duty” or “State Active Duty” pay whenever ordered to active duty for service by the Governor for events, activities, missions or community disasters and emergencies in the State. The last time the Legislature enacted an increase to the state’s active duty minimum wage was in 2016, when it went from $75 to $100.

Senate Bill 1286 is supported by both the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations.

The bill is now sent back to the full Senate for consideration.

# # #