2026 -- H 8123

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LC005434

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Costantino, Read, Solomon, Noret, and
Kennedy

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Veterans` Affairs

     (Rhode Island National Guard)

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

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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.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS

***

     This act would create three (3) new awards for Rhode Island National Guard members and

would provide eligibility for the Rhode Island star for certain civilian government employees and

military and civilian leaders of foreign governments.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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