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H 8123Veterans & Military

Military Affairs and Defense - Decorations

This bill allows civilians to receive the Rhode Island Star and creates three new awards for National Guard members.

Signed into law66 Yea0 Nay9 Not voting
Population
Affected
8
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Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House Veterans` Affairs

Plain-English Summary

This legislation updates the laws regarding military and state decorations in Rhode Island. It expands the eligibility for the "Rhode Island Star" to include civilian government employees and foreign leaders who have served the state with distinction. Furthermore, the bill establishes three new awards: the "Rhode Island Legion of Merit" for key leadership performance, the "Rhode Island State Partnership Program Ribbon" for service in partner countries, and the "Rhode Island Funeral Honors Ribbon" for service on funeral honor teams. The Adjutant General is authorized to oversee the design and issuance of these awards.

For younger readers

This bill creates new medals and ribbons to say "thank you" to people who help Rhode Island. Right now, there is a special medal called the Rhode Island Star. This bill says that people who work for the government but aren't soldiers, and leaders from other countries, can now get this medal if they do a great job. It also makes three new ribbons for soldiers. One is for being a good leader, one is for visiting partner countries, and one is for soldiers who help at military funerals to show respect to those who have passed away.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
National Guard membersCivilian government employeesForeign military and civilian leadersFuneral honors team membersVeterans
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Recognizes the value of public service by extending prestigious honors to civilian government employees, validating their contributions alongside military personnel.
  • Encourages international diplomacy and cultural exchange by allowing the state to officially honor foreign leaders and recognizing service in the State Partnership Program.
  • Acknowledges the emotional labor and solemn duty of those serving on funeral honors teams, ensuring respectful treatment for deceased veterans and their families.
  • Expands the symbolism of the military-industrial complex by creating more tiered awards and decorations rather than focusing on demilitarization.
  • Allocates administrative resources and potential funding to the design and procurement of metal and ribbons rather than direct social services for veterans or the poor.
  • Reinforces hierarchical structures within the state service by creating specific awards reserved for "key leadership positions" rather than collective achievements.
For Conservatives
  • Strengthens military tradition and boosts morale by creating specific ways to recognize the hard work and leadership of Rhode Island National Guard members.
  • Promotes strong alliances and defense cooperation by honoring foreign dignitaries and recognizing soldiers who deploy to partner nations.
  • Ensures that the soldiers who perform the patriotic duty of providing military funeral honors are properly recognized for their service to fallen heroes.
  • Dilutes the prestige of the Rhode Island Star, traditionally a military honor, by allowing civilian government bureaucrats and foreign officials to receive it.
  • Increases government bureaucracy by requiring the Adjutant General to manage the design, procurement, and regulation of three additional award programs.
  • Risks creating a "participation trophy" sentiment by awarding ribbons for very short durations of service, such as a five-day trip to a partner country.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 45 additions

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 30-8-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-8 entitled "Decorations" is hereby amended to read as follows: 30-8-4. Rhode Island star. The Rhode Island star may be awarded, in the name of the governor, to each person who, while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island national guard, while on active state or federal service, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by exceptionally meritorious service to the state or federal government in a duty of responsibility. The Rhode Island star may also be awarded, in the name of the governor, to civilian government employees and military and civilian senior leaders of foreign governments for their outstanding service and contributions to the State of Rhode Island. No more than one Rhode Island star shall be awarded to any one person, but for each succeeding service, sufficient to justify the award of a Rhode Island star, a bronze oak leaf cluster shall be awarded in lieu thereof.

SECTION 2. Chapter 30-8 of the General Laws entitled "Decorations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections: 30-8-11. The Rhode Island legion of merit.

(a) The Rhode Island legion of merit may be awarded, in the name of the adjutant general, to each person who, while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island national guard, while serving in key leadership positions on active state or federal service, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by exceptionally meritorious service in performance of outstanding services and achievements to the state or federal government in a duty of responsibility. The Rhode Island legion of merit may also be awarded, in the name of the adjutant general, to retirees who served as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island national guard, in key leadership positions on active state or federal service, and distinguished himself or herself conspicuously by exceptionally meritorious service in performance of outstanding services and achievements to the state or federal government in a duty of responsibility. No more than one Rhode Island legion of merit shall be awarded to any one person, but for each succeeding service, sufficient to justify the award of a Rhode Island legion of merit, a bronze oak leaf cluster shall be awarded in lieu thereof.

(b) The adjutant general shall follow the provisions of §§ 30-8-7 and 30-8-8 with reference to the design and procurement of the medal and the rules, regulations, and orders with reference thereto. 30-8-12. Rhode Island state partnership program ribbon.

(a) The Rhode Island state partnership program ribbon may be awarded in the name of the adjutant general, to each person who, while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States, including reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island national guard, while on active, state, or federal service, serves for a period of five

(5) consecutive days in one of Rhode Island national guard’s state partnership program countries. No more than one Rhode Island state partnership program ribbon shall be awarded to any one person. This award may be retroactive at the discretion of the adjutant general.

(b) The adjutant general shall follow the provisions of §§ 30-8-7 and 30-8-8 with reference to the design and procurement of the medal and the rules, regulations, and orders with reference thereto. 30-8-13. Rhode Island funeral honors ribbon.

(a) The Rhode Island funeral honors ribbon may be awarded in the name of the adjutant general, to each person who, while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States, including reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island national guard, while on active, state, or federal service, serves as a member of the funeral honors team. No more than one Rhode Island funeral honors ribbon shall be awarded to any one person. This award may be retroactive at the discretion of the adjutant general.

(b) The adjutant general shall follow the provisions of §§ 30-8-7 and 30-8-8 with reference to the design and procurement of the medal and the rules, regulations, and orders with reference thereto.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.