HB 6277 Summary

• Establishes the Michigan legislative medal of honor as the highest military award of the state, to be awarded under the Michigan military department state awards program.

• Eligibility requires service members to be residents of Michigan who were born, died, or resided in the state when entering military service in Michigan's state military establishment or U.S. Armed Forces.

• Awards the medal only to service members who perform deeds of personal bravery or self-sacrifice involving risk of life that are conspicuous enough to distinguish them for gallantry and intrepidity above their comrades, based on incontestable proof.

• Requires the adjutant general to submit nominee information to legislative committee chairs, with the medal awarded by concurrent resolution of the legislature limited to one recipient per regular session (one from service members 1836-1955 and one from 1956 onward).

• Provides that if the legislature determines a recommendation does not meet standards, it may redirect the nominee to the Michigan Great Lakes medal of valor or another commensurate state award under section 185.