Senate Bill No. 1153, effective July 1, 2025, amends Section 27-20 of the general statutes to grant the Adjutant General the authority to establish and remove certain state military awards, ribbons, and honors. This new provision allows the Adjutant General to create awards for members of the state armed forces and to remove any awards or ribbons that he establishes after the effective date. However, the bill explicitly prohibits the removal of any state military awards or honors that were created prior to July 1, 2025, either by the Adjutant General or by the General Assembly.

In addition to the new authority 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 reflects a shift in the process of establishing military honors from a legislative to an administrative function, potentially streamlining the process for recognizing service members. The fiscal impact is expected to be 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