Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB644: AN ACT relating to the awarding of a medal of distinction by the General Assembly.
Status: In committee, March 19, 2026
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 2 to create the Kentucky General Assembly Medal of Distinction and establish the award criteria and selection process.
What the bill says
An act relating to the awarding of a medal of distinction by the General Assembly.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to the awarding of a medal of distinction by the General Assembly. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 2 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) The Kentucky General Assembly Medal of Distinction is hereby created. (2) Persons eligible to receive the medal include: (a) Present members of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, or a reserve component of the Armed Forces or National Guard, and veterans of those services who were separated or released therefrom with an honorable discharge, discharge under honorable conditions, or general discharge under honorable conditions, and are stationed or otherwise residing in the Commonwealth of Kentucky or were born in the Commonwealth; (b) Present and former first responders operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, including firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, ambulance services personnel, peace officers, sheriffs, public safety telecommunicators, and others who are employed or volunteer their time to render aid to persons in distress; (c) Citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and (d) Entities operating within the Commonwealth of Kentucky or otherwise providing services to the citizens of the Commonwealth. (3) The medal shall be the preeminent award conferred by the Commonwealth and may be awarded to recognize: (a) The commission of a valorous or …
Sponsors
- Steve Bratcher (R, HD-025) · primary sponsor
- Peyton Griffee (R, HD-026)
- Mark Hart (R, HD-078)
- DJ Johnson (R, HD-013)
- Chris Lewis (R, HD-029)
- T.J. Roberts (R, HD-066)
Latest actions
- : to Committee on Committees (S)
- : received in Senate
- : 3rd reading, passed 94-0
- : posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 17 2026
- : 2nd reading, to Rules
- : reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
- : to Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Votes
- House: Pass RCS# 281 (March 18, 2026): 94 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: General Assembly, State Symbols And Emblems, Legislative Research Commission, Commendations And Recognitions, Local Mandate
Common questions
- What is HB644?
- HB644 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to the awarding of a medal of distinction by the General Assembly.
- What does HB644 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to the awarding of a medal of distinction by the General Assembly.
- What is the status of HB644?
- In committee as of March 19, 2026. Latest action: to Committee on Committees (S) (March 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB644?
- Steve Bratcher (R, HD-025), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB644?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb644.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.