Rhode Island House Bill H8123

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/26
• Refer: 2/27/26
• Report Pass: 4/14/26
• Engrossed: 4/30/26
• Refer: 5/1/26

Caption

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS

Summary

H8123 amends Rhode Island’s military decorations law to expand and create several state awards administered through the Adjutant General and the governor. It broadens eligibility for the existing Rhode Island Star to include civilian government employees and military or civilian senior leaders of foreign governments who provide outstanding service and contributions to Rhode Island. The bill also creates three new awards: the Rhode Island Legion of Merit, the Rhode Island State Partnership Program Ribbon, and the Rhode Island Funeral Honors Ribbon. The new Rhode Island Legion of Merit would recognize National Guard and other eligible service members who serve in key leadership positions on active state or federal service and perform exceptionally meritorious service; it also extends eligibility to retirees who previously served in those leadership roles. The State Partnership Program Ribbon would be available to eligible service members who spend five consecutive days in one of Rhode Island National Guard’s state partnership program countries, and the Funeral Honors Ribbon would recognize participation on funeral honors teams. Each award is limited to one per person, with bronze oak leaf clusters used for additional qualifying service where applicable. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Impact

The bill would amend Chapter 30-8 of the General Laws, which governs military decorations, by revising the Rhode Island Star provision and adding three new statutory awards. It would expand the pool of potential recipients beyond uniformed service members to include certain civilian employees and foreign government leaders, while also establishing new recognition categories for National Guard service, international partnership duties, and funeral honors service. The Adjutant General would be responsible for administering the new awards and following existing rules for design, procurement, and related regulations.

Sentiment

The available record suggests the bill was received favorably, as reflected by unanimous House passage on April 30, 2026, with 66 yeas and 0 nays. No committee transcript is available, but the vote indicates broad support and little visible opposition. The bill’s subject matter—recognition of military and National Guard service—appears to have been noncontroversial in the recorded proceedings.

Contention

There is no recorded committee debate or floor opposition in the provided materials, so no explicit points of contention are documented. Potential areas that could have raised questions, though not reflected in the record, include the expansion of the Rhode Island Star to civilian government employees and foreign government leaders, the retroactive application of some awards at the Adjutant General’s discretion, and the criteria for defining key leadership positions or qualifying service. However, the vote history shows no opposition on the House floor.