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Committee approves bill creating a General Assembly medal of distinction for valor
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Summary
HB 644 would authorize the General Assembly to award a medal of distinction for heroism, to be administered through a legislative committee; members urged narrow eligibility criteria and guardrails to prevent politicization.
Representative Steve Bratcher told the committee that House Bill 644 would create a state medal of distinction awarded by the General Assembly for acts of heroism, valor or life‑saving actions.
"This is for heroism and the act of valor, saving a life, or putting your life in danger to save another life," Bratcher said. He said the award would be rare — perhaps one a year — and would be administered by a legislative committee to avoid ad hoc awards.
Members asked about committee membership and guardrails. Representative Ault and Representative Camille said they supported the bill but urged limits to avoid broad or overly frequent awards; Camille asked for specific categories and requirements to prevent dilution of the medal's importance. Representative Sharp asked whether National Guard members could wear the medal on a Class A uniform; Bratcher said the bill allows it on dress uniforms for state awards and that Guard members would be permitted to wear it when not on federal orders. Committee members confirmed the medal could be awarded posthumously.
The committee moved and voted to report HB 644 favorably.
What happens next: HB 644 was reported favorably to the House; the bill will proceed to the full chamber for further consideration and any statutory drafting of committee membership and award criteria.
