Relates to a "Campaign Medal for Service" to be awarded to those who have provided military service in Iraq

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Gallivan

Creates a state Campaign Medal for Service to recognize veterans who served in Iraq; administered by state veterans offices, with potential posthumous awards.

REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

Bill Summary: S 7300

Overview

Senate Bill S 7300, introduced on April 9, 2025, seeks to establish a new recognition program by creating a "Campaign Medal for Service" to be awarded to individuals who have provided military service in Iraq. The bill is currently in the committee stage, having been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. A companion bill in the Assembly is A 3394.

Bill Number: S 7300

Title: Relates to a "Campaign Medal for Service" to be awarded to those who have provided military service in Iraq

Status: Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs (Senate)

Introduced: April 9, 2025

Sponsor: Patrick M. Gallivan (primary)

Purpose and Intent

The bill’s title indicates an intent to create a new state-level recognition—the Campaign Medal for Service—for individuals who served militarily in Iraq.

It aims to formally recognize and honor the service of veterans who were deployed to or otherwise served in connection with Iraq.

Key Provisions (as introduced concepts)

The specific statutory provisions, such as eligibility criteria, design of the medal, awarding authority, and administrative procedures, are not provided in the summary available.

What is clear from the bill’s purpose is the creation of a new award and associated administrative framework to confer the medal on qualifying service members.

Who Would Be Affected

Primary beneficiaries: military veterans who provided service in Iraq.

Administrative and supporting roles: state veterans affairs offices or a nominated awarding authority would likely administer the medal (exact mechanisms not detailed in the provided excerpt).

Family and memorial considerations may arise for posthumous awards, depending on final language (not specified here).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: April 9, 2025.

Legislative action to date: Referral to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs (listed twice in the actions, likely a duplicate entry).

Next steps: The bill would need committee consideration, potential amendments, and, if advanced, floor votes in the Senate and Assembly, followed by any gubernatorial actions. A companion bill exists in the Assembly (A 3394), indicating parallel consideration and potential convergence.

Related Legislation

Companion: A 3394 (Assembly)

Prior-session related bills: S 7575, S 1232, S 1707, S 190 (and other Assembly counterparts listed as prior-session items)

The presence of multiple related and companion bills suggests ongoing legislative interest in establishing a Iraq-service campaign medal across sessions.