Summary — HB 5258 (Michigan Military Act amendment)
Status
- Introduced: November 12, 2025 (bill text reproduced 11/12/2025).
- Sponsor(s): Reps. McKinney, Morgan, Xiong, Young, Neeley, B. Carter, Price, Witwer, Tate, Weiss, Wooden, Paiz, Glanville, Byrnes, O'Neal, Longjohn, T. Carter, Koleszar, McFall, Liberati, Breen.
- Referred to: Committee on Government Operations (read a first time 11/12/2025). (Record also shows filing activity earlier in 2025.)
Purpose
- To authorize and establish a formal state recognition — an “Iraq and Afghanistan veteran recognition certificate” — awarded by the Michigan adjutant general (in consultation with the director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency). The bill also retains and describes provisions for the existing Michigan Vietnam veteran recognition certificate.
Key provisions
- Amends section 182 of the Michigan Military Act (1967 PA 150; MCL 32.582).
- Empowers the adjutant general to develop and publish rules governing the award of both the Michigan Vietnam veteran recognition certificate and a newly created Iraq and Afghanistan veteran recognition certificate, in consultation with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
- Eligibility for the Iraq and Afghanistan certificate (applicable rules to be developed):
- Applicant is a Michigan citizen or was a Michigan citizen while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Applicant was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances.
- Applicant served in Iraq or Afghanistan during a period of conflict (the bill does not define precise date ranges; to be clarified in rules).
- Limits and presentation:
- An individual may receive no more than one certificate of each type.
- If the recipient is deceased, the certificate may be presented to a designated representative.
- Retains existing Vietnam certificate provisions, including an optional special designation for veterans who were exposed to dioxin/phenoxy herbicides (requires medical diagnosis and other proof as prescribed).
- Definitions included/maintained: “Armed Forces of the United States” (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, including Michigan National Guard and reserve components); “Vietnam War era” (Feb. 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975).
Who is affected
- Primary: Michigan residents (or former Michigan residents while serving) who served in Iraq or Afghanistan and meet honorable discharge criteria — they become eligible for a state recognition certificate.
- Secondary: Department of Military and Veterans Affairs / Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency — responsible for rulemaking and administration; minor administrative costs to produce and issue certificates.
Procedural/timeline notes
- The bill directs the adjutant general to develop rules to implement the certificates; actual award processes and any effective date depend on the rulemaking and committee/legislative action following introduction.
- The bill as drafted leaves “period of conflict” for Iraq/Afghanistan unspecified; practical eligibility timing will be set in implementing rules.
Impact summary
- Establishes a non‑benefit, honorific state recognition for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans comparable to the existing Vietnam recognition certificate. It does not create new monetary benefits or statutory entitlements; impacts are primarily symbolic and administrative.
