Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island S2996: AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS (Creates three (3) new awards for Rhode Island National Guard members and would provide eligibility for the Rhode Island star for certain civilian government employees and military and civilian leaders of foreign governments.)
Status: Signed into law, June 19, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, March 4, 2026:
2026 -- S 2996 ======== LC005436 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS Introduced By: Senators Felag, Raptakis, Burke, Tikoian, DiPalma, LaMountain, Gallo, and Ciccone Date Introduced: March 04, 2026 Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs (National Guard) It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Section 30-8-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 30-8 entitled "Decorations" is hereby amended to read as follows: 30-8-4. Rhode Island star. The Rhode Island star may be awarded, in the name of the governor, to each person who, while a commissioned officer, warrant officer, or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States, including the reserve components thereof, or of the Rhode Island national guard, while on active state or federal service, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by exceptionally meritorious service to the state or federal government in a duty of responsibility. The Rhode Island star may also be awarded, in the name of the governor, to civilian government employees and military and civilian senior leaders of foreign governments for their outstanding service and contributions to the State of Rhode Island. No more than one Rhode Island star shall be awarded to any one person, but for each succeeding service, sufficient to justify the …
Sponsors
- Walter Felag (D, SD-010) · primary sponsor
- Leonidas Raptakis (D, SD-033)
- John Burke (D, SD-009)
- David Tikoian (D, SD-022)
- DiPalma, Louis (D, SD-012)
- Matthew LaMountain (D, SD-031)
- Hanna Gallo (D, SD-027)
- Frank Ciccone (D, SD-007)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor
- : Transmitted to Governor
- : House passed in concurrence
- : Placed on the House Consent Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage in concurrence
- : Scheduled for consideration
- : Referred to House Veterans Affairs
- : Senate read and passed
- : Placed on Senate Calendar
- : Committee recommends passage
Votes
- House Seq #319: PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE (June 8, 2026): 69 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Veterans` Affairs: Passage in concurrence (June 4, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Seq #162: (May 7, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Passage (April 29, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Passage (March 11, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE
Common questions
- What is S2996?
- S2996 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE -- DECORATIONS (Creates three (3) new awards for Rhode Island National Guard members and would provide eligibility for the Rhode Island star for certain civilian government employees and military and civilian leaders of foreign governments.).
- What is the status of S2996?
- Signed into law as of June 19, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor (June 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored S2996?
- Walter Felag (D, SD-010), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S2996?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/SenateText26/S2996.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.