Senate Bill No. 1153, effective July 1, 2025, grants the Adjutant General the authority to establish and remove certain state military awards, ribbons, and honors for members of the armed forces. This marks a significant shift from the current law, where such awards are typically established through legislative action or federal authorization. The bill allows the Adjutant General to create new awards or ribbons and to remove any that he establishes after the effective date. However, it explicitly prohibits the removal of any awards or honors created prior to July 1, 2025, or those established by the General Assembly.

In addition to the new provisions regarding military awards, the bill also includes various responsibilities of the Adjutant General, such as maintaining service records, issuing authorized service medals, and managing military property. The bill repeals the existing Section 27-20 and replaces it with updated language that incorporates these changes. The potential fiscal impact of the bill is minimal, depending on the number and cost of any new awards or ribbons established by the Adjutant General.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 27-20
VA Joint Favorable: 27-20
File No. 47: 27-20