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Committee advances bill creating "Order of the Sunflower" to honor military spouses
Summary
The Committee on Veterans and Military voted to report House Bill 2256 favorably after a hearing in which proponents described the award as a low-cost morale booster recognizing volunteer service by military spouses across Kansas.
The Committee on Veterans and Military voted to move House Bill 2256, which would direct the governor to establish the “Order of the Sunflower” to recognize military spouses who have “served their communities with distinction,” out of committee on a voice vote.
Supporters told the committee the recognition would be a formal, low-cost way for the state to honor volunteer work by spouses of service members. Carly, committee staff adviser, summarized the bill for members and said the governor would award the order based on submissions made via constituent services on the governor’s website and that recommendations would include dates of service, significant accomplishments and a unit command recommendation. The bill would take effect July 1, 2025, after publication in the statute book.
Retired General Wiggins, a veteran who said he served 33 years across commands up to a three‑star theater army command, told the committee that military spouses perform substantial unpaid volunteer work inside and outside military installations and that formal recognition matters. “Not all heroes wear uniform,” he said, adding that spouses “deserve this recognition.” Representative Butler, the bill proponent, offered examples of spouses who provided crisis intervention and community support during deployments, noting the potential morale and retention effects when families see their service recognized.
Members asked how often the award might be presented; Butler estimated it would be “very few” statewide and suggested perhaps “5, 10 a year.” General Wiggins explained the bill names an order so recipients would be inducted once and remain part of the order thereafter. Committee members from both parties expressed support in their remarks.
The committee chair moved that the committee pass the bill favorably; members approved the motion by voice vote and the bill will be reported to the full House for further consideration.
Without specifying a design or budget line item, supporters said a governor-signed certificate or similar recognition would be inexpensive to produce but provide meaningful affirmation for spouses who lead family and volunteer efforts during deployments.
The committee closed the public hearing on House Bill 2256 and proceeded to other bills on the agenda.
