AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS (Creates 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.)

S2996

2026 -- S 2996
========
LC005436
========

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS

Introduced By:
Senators Felag, Raptakis, Burke, Tikoian, DiPalma, LaMountain, Gallo,
and Ciccone

Date Introduced:
March 04, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
(National Guard)
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1
SECTION 1. Section 30-8-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-8 entitled "Decorations"
2
is hereby amended to read as follows:
3

30-8-4. Rhode Island star.
4
The Rhode Island star may be awarded, in the name of the governor, to each person who,
5
while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United
6
States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island national guard, while on
7
active state or federal service, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by exceptionally
8
meritorious service to the state or federal government in a duty of responsibility.
The Rhode Island
9
star may also be awarded, in the name of the governor, to civilian government employees and
10
military and civilian senior leaders of foreign governments for their outstanding service and
11
contributions to the State of Rhode Island.
No more than one Rhode Island star shall be awarded to
12
any one person, but for each succeeding service, sufficient to justify the award of a Rhode Island
13
star, a bronze oak leaf cluster shall be awarded in lieu thereof.
14
SECTION 2. Chapter 30-8 of the General Laws entitled "Decorations" is hereby amended
15
by adding thereto the following sections:
16

30-8-11. The Rhode Island legion of merit.

17

(a) The Rhode Island legion of merit may be awarded, in the name of the adjutant general,
18
to each person who, while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed
19
forces of the United States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island

1
national guard, while serving in key leadership positions on active state or federal service,
2
distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by exceptionally meritorious service in performance
3
of outstanding services and achievements to the state or federal government in a duty of
4
responsibility. The Rhode Island legion of merit may also be awarded, in the name of the adjutant
5
general, to retirees who served as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the
6
armed forces of the United States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island
7
national guard, in key leadership positions on active state or federal service, and distinguished
8
himself or herself conspicuously by exceptionally meritorious service in performance of
9
outstanding services and achievements to the state or federal government in a duty of responsibility.
10
No more than one Rhode Island legion of merit shall be awarded to any one person, but for each
11
succeeding service, sufficient to justify the award of a Rhode Island legion of merit, a bronze oak
12
leaf cluster shall be awarded in lieu thereof.
13

(b) The adjutant general shall follow the provisions of §§ 30-8-7 and 30-8-8 with reference
14
to the design and procurement of the medal and the rules, regulations, and orders with reference
15
thereto.
16

30-8-12. Rhode Island state partnership program ribbon.

17

(a) The Rhode Island state partnership program ribbon may be awarded in the name of the
18
adjutant general, to each person who, while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted
19
person of the armed forces of the United States, including reserve components thereof, or of the
20
Rhode Island national guard, while on active, state, or federal service, serves for a period of five
21
(5) consecutive days in one of Rhode Island national guard’s state partnership program countries.
22
No more than one Rhode Island state partnership program ribbon shall be awarded to any one
23
person. This award may be retroactive at the discretion of the adjutant general.
24

(b) The adjutant general shall follow the provisions of §§ 30-8-7 and 30-8-8 with reference
25
to the design and procurement of the medal and the rules, regulations, and orders with reference
26
thereto.
27

30-8-13. Rhode Island funeral honors ribbon.

28

(a) The Rhode Island funeral honors ribbon may be awarded in the name of the adjutant
29
general, to each person who, while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of
30
the armed forces of the United States, including reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island
31
national guard, while on active, state, or federal service, serves as a member of the funeral honors
32
team. No more than one Rhode Island funeral honors ribbon shall be awarded to any one person.
33
This award may be retroactive at the discretion of the adjutant general.
34

(b) The adjutant general shall follow the provisions of §§ 30-8-7 and 30-8-8 with reference

LC005436 - Page 2 of 4
1
to the design and procurement of the medal and the rules, regulations, and orders with reference
2
thereto.
3
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC005436
========

LC005436 - Page 3 of 4
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS
***
1
This act would create three (3) new awards for Rhode Island National Guard members and
2
would provide eligibility for the Rhode Island star for certain civilian government employees and
3
military and civilian leaders of foreign governments.
4
This act would take effect upon passage.
========
LC005436
========

LC005436 - Page 4 of 4