The Utah National Guard (consisting of Army and Air Force units) is the constitutionally authorized State militia for Utah. The Governor is the Commander in Chief of the Utah National Guard and may employ National Guard personnel and equipment to respond to natural or other disasters, civil emergencies, civil defense, or any other mission allowed by law. The National Guard provides military forces organized, trained, and equipped to perform federal missions assigned by the President of the United States. UTNG units are stationed in 23 communities throughout Utah and can respond to needs throughout the State and nation as ordered by the Governor or President.
During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $54,777,600 from all sources for Utah National Guard. This is a 21.9 percent reduction from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources. The total includes $6,468,800 from the General/Education Funds, an increase of 5.2 percent from revised Fiscal Year 2015 estimates.
In addition to statewide compensation and internal service fund cost increases, the following appropriation adjustments were made during the 2015 General Session:
The Utah National Guard is governed by the Utah Militia and Armories Code, Title 39 of the Utah Code.
- UCA 39 is known as the "Militia and Armories Code"
- UCA 39-1-1 defines the organization and employment of the militia.
- UCA 39-1-2 divides the militia into two parts: the National Guard and the unorganized militia.
- UCA 39-2 authorizes the State Armory Board consisting of the governor, the chair of the State Building Board and the adjutant general.
- UCA 39-3 establishes and defines the rights of state public officers and employees in military service.
- UCA 39-4 creates the Utah State Defense Force Act.
- UCA 39-5 authorizes the governor to execute a compact with any one or more of the states of the United States.
- UCA 39-6 defines the Utah Code of Military Justice.
- UCA 39-7 creates the Utah Service Members' Civil Relief Act.
- UCA 39-8 creates the Servicemen's Counseling Program.
- UCA 39-9 creates the State Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Program
COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.