MD HB1319

Prohibits the Governor from ordering the Maryland National Guard or Maryland Defense Force into active duty combat unless Congress has passed an official declaration of war under Article I, § 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution

Allows deployment if Congress takes official action under Article I, § 8, Clause 15 to explicitly call forth the state militia to execute federal laws, repel an invasion, or suppress an insurrection

Defines "active duty combat" as participation in armed conflict, hazardous service in a foreign state related to armed conflict, or duty through an instrumentality of war

Preserves the Governor's authority to deploy the militia for domestic purposes under U.S.C. Title 32 (Defense Support of Civil Authorities) within the United States and U.S. territories

Takes effect October 1, 2026