State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz’s plan to modernize how members of the Michigan National Guard are paid when activated for state duty has been approved by the Michigan House with unanimous bipartisan support, moving the legislation one step closer to becoming law.

House Bill 5715 ensures that Michigan National Guard service members can receive pay through direct deposit or electronic transfer starting with their first pay period during any duty status, eliminating delays caused by outdated paper check requirements.

Under current practice, Guard members activated by the state must receive their first paycheck as a paper check before enrolling in direct deposit. That process can create delays and administrative complications, particularly during emergency activations.

“This is a simple, common-sense fix that makes sure our service members are paid on time, without unnecessary hurdles,” Schmaltz said following House approval. “When the National Guard is activated, they are leaving their families and their civilian jobs to serve Michigan. They should never have to wonder when their paycheck will arrive. I appreciate the bipartisan support in the House to get this done.”

The legislation removes the mandatory first paper paycheck requirement and allows service members to be paid electronically from the start of their activation.

Schmaltz, chair of the House Families and Veterans Committee, previously testified on the plan alongside T.J. Pierce, executive director of the National Guard Association of Michigan.

Pierce highlighted longstanding concerns with the current system, including delays experienced during Operation Cold as Ice, the state’s response to severe ice storms that impacted northern Michigan in March 2025.

“After the governor’s state of emergency declaration, the Michigan National Guard responded within hours with approximately 900 soldiers and airmen leaving their families and civilian employers behind in order to take care of our fellow Michiganders,” Pierce said. “Unlike most states, Michigan still utilizes handwritten forms and requires layers of unnecessary manual processing of personal and financial information for state active-duty missions. This creates an environment where human error is prevalent and does not allow for any type of efficiency in responding to personnel changes on the ground.

“Many soldiers and airmen did not receive their pay for their service for months after the mission was completed; some of them up to seven months after their duty had been performed. Paper checks are then mailed to their home of record, which can be hours away from where they are actually conducting their mission. They must still perform their duty while their families are left to figure out solutions on how to pay their rent, mortgage, utilities and groceries. This puts an enormous strain on the men and women that wear the uniform in our state and their families.”

House Bill 5715 now advances to the Michigan Senate for further consideration.

“Our National Guard answers the call every time Michigan needs them,” Schmaltz said. “We must do the same for them by making sure they are paid accurately, securely, and without delay.”