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HB 4278

State: symbol; "Purple Heart State"; designate. Creates new act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 22 co-sponsors

Designates Michigan as the Purple Heart State to honor wounded or fallen U.S. military members; symbolic designation with no funding or programs specified.

bill electronically reproduced 03/20/2025
#militaryaffairs:other #state:symbol #veterans:other
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Bill Summary · HB 4278

Summary of HB 4278 — "Purple Heart State" designation

Overview

  • Bill number and title: HB 4278, "State: symbol; 'Purple Heart State'; designate. Creates new act."
  • Introduced: March 10, 2025
  • Introduced by: Representative Jaime Greene and a list of co-sponsors
  • Current status: Electronically reproduced March 20, 2025; Read first time and referred to Committee on Government Operations (April 1, 2025). Subsequent actions show referral to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence on April 1, 2025.
  • Subject: Military and veterans affairs; state symbol designation

Purpose and intent

  • The bill designates the State of Michigan as the “Purple Heart State” to recognize and honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in service. The designation expresses gratitude and respect for their sacrifice and supports the idea that such service underpins the country’s sovereignty.

Key provisions

  • Sec. 1: Official designation
    • The state is designated as the Purple Heart State.
    • The designation is intended to express gratitude and respect for brave men and women who have been wounded or killed while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
    • The text ties the service and sacrifice of these individuals to the nation’s continued sovereignty.

Note: The provided text shows only a single-section provision establishing the designation; no additional duties, programs, signage requirements, or funding provisions are included in the excerpt.

Who/what would be affected

  • State designation: The designation applies to the State of Michigan’s identity and symbolic recognition of Purple Heart recipients.
  • Potential impacts not specified: The bill does not outline specific administrative duties, commemorative activities, state branding, or fiscal implications beyond the designation itself.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Filed: March 10, 2025
  • Introduced: March 20, 2025 (House)
  • First reading: March 20, 2025
  • Committee path: Referred to Committee on Government Operations (initial)
  • Subsequent committee status: As of the latest actions, another committee reference appears to be Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence (April 1, 2025)
  • The bill is at the early stages of the legislative process and would require committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes to advance.

Potential impact and considerations

  • If enacted, Michigan would formally adopt a symbolic designation recognizing Purple Heart recipients.
  • The bill does not specify implementation steps, funding, or required programs; additional measures would likely define any commemorative activities or branding associated with the designation.
  • Stakeholders include veterans groups, military families, and state government entities responsible for ceremonial or educational activities.

What to watch next

  • Committee hearings and any proposed amendments.
  • Whether additional provisions (e.g., commemorative ceremonies, state branding, or funding allocations) are added.
  • The bill’s progress through House votes and potential horizontal (Senate) consideration.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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