The military: defense of the state

The law gives California’s Governor control over whether another state’s military forces may operate in California for another state’s purposes.

What the law does ​

• Prohibits military personnel from another state, territory, or district from entering California, or causing something to enter California, to perform military duty or law-enforcement functions for another state without the Governor’s permission.
• Allows the Governor to delegate permission authority to the Adjutant General.
• Exempts personnel activated into federal service under Title 10 and acting under the President or United States Secretary of Defense.
• Exempts military compacts entered before January 1, 2027, and educational courses or training exercises in California.

Who it affects ​

• Military personnel from other states, territories, and districts.
• The Governor and the Adjutant General.
• California residents and entities subject to out-of-state military or law-enforcement activity.

Context ​

Federalized National Guard personnel acting under presidential or United States Secretary of Defense authority are not covered.