The DoD agency responsible for working with state lawmakers on policies to support military families made few changes to its list of top priorities for 2025, continuing its focus on MOAA-backed efforts involving child care, health care, and economic concerns. 

The Defense-State Liaison Office’s 10 key issue areas for the new year:  

• Access to quality family child care 

• Spouse employment and economic opportunities 

• Concurrent juvenile jurisdiction 

• State support for families with special education needs 

• Open enrollment flexibility 

• Defining “armed forces” in state policy 

• Military family anti-discrimination status 

• State response to military interpersonal violence 

• Military representation on state boards and councils 

• Remote drivers license and vehicle registration renewal 

The last item is the only new one for the 2025 list. Thirty-six states already allow license extensions for residents in military service, according to a DSLO fact sheet, but more could be done to eliminate the need for in-person registration or renewal, which could involve “significant travel costs, consuming valuable vacation time, or missing school days.” 

How You Can Help 

MOAA does not advocate at the state level, but the association has a long track record for supporting military families via its national lobbying efforts. The House version of the must-pass FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes several MOAA-supported provisions, such as improved employment flexibility for military spouses working in the federal government, expanded child care options for military spouses seeking employment and more locations for the In-Home Child Care Pilot, and expansion of the Basic Needs Allowance to support more military families at or near the federal poverty line for their region. 

[TAKE ACTION: Ask Your Lawmakers to Support the Junior Enlisted Pay Increase in the House NDAA] 

Want to do more? Consider joining your local MOAA chapter and becoming active in state-level legislative advocacy, or connect with your DSLO regional liaison to learn more about priorities in your state. 

Find out more about the DSLO priorities in this year and previous years, including discussion points and best practices, at this link.