One of NGAMA’s legislative priorities, the updating of Massachusetts State Statute Chapter 33 has recently passed the State Legislature and awaits the signature of Governor Patrick. Chapter 33 is the state statute that governs the Massachusetts National Guard. Chapter 33 had not been updated since the mid-1950. Many provisions of the old Chapter 33 did not reflect the reality of today’s National Guard. The updated legislation better reflects the Massachusetts National Guard’s current use as an operational reserve. The updated bill also now allows National Guard military police officers the power of arrest when they are deployed in response to emergency such as the Boston Marathon bombings. It also addressed unfair pay discrepancies between Title 10 and Title 32. NGAMA’s Legislative Committee led by Lt Col Sean Halbrook had been meeting with state legislators in support of the updating of Chapter 33.