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S 2996Veterans & Military

Military Affairs and Defense - Decorations

Expands eligibility for the Rhode Island Star and creates three new military awards for leadership, international partnership, and funeral honors.

Signed into law69 Yea0 Nay6 Not voting
Population
Affected
8
Email Legislator
Introduced Mar 4, 2026Committee Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

Plain-English Summary

This legislation updates the eligibility requirements for the "Rhode Island Star," allowing it to be awarded to civilian government employees and foreign leaders who have made significant contributions to the state, in addition to military personnel. Furthermore, the bill creates three new awards: the "Rhode Island Legion of Merit" for exceptional leadership, the "Rhode Island State Partnership Program Ribbon" for service in partner countries, and the "Rhode Island Funeral Honors Ribbon" for those serving on funeral honor teams. The Adjutant General is tasked with overseeing the design and regulations for these new decorations.

For younger readers

This law creates special awards to say "thank you" to people who help Rhode Island. It changes the rules for a medal called the Rhode Island Star so that regular government workers and leaders from other countries can get it, not just soldiers. It also makes three new ribbons for soldiers: one for being a great leader, one for traveling to help other countries, and one for soldiers who help at military funerals to show respect. These awards are meant to honor people who do a really good job serving the state.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Rhode Island National Guard MembersCivilian Government EmployeesForeign Military and Civilian LeadersMilitary RetireesFuneral Honors Team Members
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Formalizes recognition for the "Funeral Honors Ribbon," acknowledging the emotional labor and dignity required to support grieving families during military burials.
  • Expands the "Rhode Island Star" to include civilian government employees, validating the importance of non-military public service and labor in government operations.
  • Encourages international diplomacy and cultural exchange by recognizing service in the State Partnership Program and allowing awards for foreign leaders who contribute to the state.
  • Allocates state resources and time to the creation of military decorations rather than addressing urgent social safety net needs or poverty within the state.
  • Reinforces military hierarchy and pageantry, which some progressives may view as a distraction from the need for systemic reform within state institutions.
  • Allows the awarding of high honors to "foreign government leaders," which could potentially lead to the state honoring representatives of regimes with poor human rights records depending on the partnership.
For Conservatives
  • Strengthens military tradition and morale by creating specific awards that recognize leadership, duty, and the honoring of fallen soldiers.
  • Reinforces the importance of the National Guard and military service, ensuring that those who serve in key positions are properly distinguished from their peers.
  • Encourages strong alliances by allowing the Governor to recognize foreign military and civilian leaders who assist Rhode Island, potentially benefiting state security and interests.
  • Dilutes the prestige of the "Rhode Island Star" by allowing it to be awarded to civilian bureaucrats and foreign leaders, rather than reserving it exclusively for U.S. military personnel.
  • Increases government spending and bureaucracy by mandating the design and procurement of new medals and the creation of new regulations by the Adjutant General.
  • Expands the definition of "meritorious service" to include international partnership programs, which some may view as "globalist" entanglements rather than focusing on domestic state issues.

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.