HOUSE BILL NO. 6278

September 29, 2020, Introduced by Reps. Glenn, LaFave, Markkanen, Howell, Afendoulis and Berman and referred to the Committee on Military, Veterans and Homeland Security.

"Michigan military act,"

(MCL 32.501 to 32.851) by adding section 184.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 184. (1) Under the Michigan military department state awards program established under section 182(2), the legislature may award the Michigan Great Lakes medal of valor.

(2) The Michigan Great Lakes medal of valor is the second highest military award of this state. All of the following apply to this medal:

(a) The award is for a service member of the state military establishment, that of another state, or the Armed Forces of the United States who performs specific acts of bravery or outstanding courage, or who performs within an exceptionally short period of time a closely related series of heroic acts, if the acts involve personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life and result in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the service member apart from the service member's comrades or from other individuals in similar circumstances. Awarding of the medal requires a lesser degree of gallantry than awarding of the Michigan legislative medal of honor under section 183, but requires that the acts be performed with marked distinction.

(b) The adjutant general shall submit the following information to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees that have responsibility for military and veterans affairs:

(i) If the adjutant general determines that a nominee does not qualify for the medal, the name of the nominee and the reasons why the nominee does not qualify for the medal.

(ii) If the adjutant general determines that a nominee does qualify for the medal and the adjutant general recommends the nominee for the medal, his or her recommendation, the nomination, and any supporting documents.

(c) The medal is awarded upon passage of a concurrent resolution of the legislature. The resolution may be considered only during a regular session of the legislature.

(d) Upon passage of the resolution described in subdivision (c), the speaker of the house of representatives and the majority leader of the senate shall award the medal in the presence of the governor, the sponsoring legislator or legislators, and the representative and senator of the district where the awardee resides.

(e) If the legislature determines that the recommendation does not meet the standards for awarding the medal, the legislature may determine that the recommendation meets the threshold for another state award under section 185 that is commensurate with the deed performed and recommend to the adjutant general the awarding of that award.

(3) As used in this section:

(a) "Armed Forces of the United States" means the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard, including the reserve components.

(b) "Service member" means a member of the state military establishment, that of another state, or the Armed Forces of the United States.

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless all of the following bills of the 100th Legislature are enacted into law:

(a) Senate Bill No.____ or House Bill No. 6279 (request no. 03568'19).

(b) Senate Bill No.____ or House Bill No. 6277 (request no. 04968'19).