HB 0503 2004
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to military awards and decorations;
3	authorizing the Governor to present the Governor's Medal
4	of Merit to a resident of the state who has rendered
5	exceptional meritorious service to the citizens of the
6	state or who is serving, or who has been honorably
7	discharged from service, in the United States Armed
8	Forces, the Florida National Guard, or the United States
9	Reserve Forces and, while on active duty, rendered
10	exceptional meritorious service to the citizens of the
11	state; providing a definition; providing for the medal to
12	be presented to a designated representative in the event
13	of the death of a chosen recipient; authorizing the
14	Governor to adopt rules for the presentation and
15	distribution of the Governor's Medal of Merit; amending s.
16	250.10, F.S.; authorizing the Adjutant General to issue
17	military decorations and awards; providing an effective
18	date.
19
20	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
21
22	Section 1. Governor's Medal of Merit.--
23	(1) The Governor may present, in the name of the State of
24	Florida, a medal to be known as the "Governor's Medal of Merit,"
25	which shall bear a suitable inscription and ribbon of
26	appropriate design, to:
27	(a) Any legal resident of the state who has rendered
28	exceptional meritorious service to the citizens of the state;
29	(b) Any legal resident of the state who is serving under
30	honorable conditions on active duty as a member of the United
31	States Armed Forces, the Florida National Guard, or the United
32	States Reserve Forces and has rendered exceptional meritorious
33	service to the citizens of the state while on active duty; or
34	(c) Any legal resident of the state who has been honorably
35	discharged from active duty as a member of the United States
36	Armed Forces, the Florida National Guard, or the United States
37	Reserve Forces and, while on active duty, rendered exceptional
38	meritorious service to the citizens of the state.
39
40	As used in this subsection, the term "exceptional meritorious
41	service" means an act or acts of bravery above and beyond the
42	level of duty normally required by that person's respective
43	military or civilian position.
44	(2) In the event of the death of an individual who has
45	been chosen to receive the Governor's Medal of Merit, the medal
46	shall be presented to a designated representative of the chosen
47	recipient.
48	(3) The Governor, in consultation with the Adjutant
49	General and other appropriate entities, may adopt any rules
50	deemed necessary for the proper presentation and distribution of
51	the Governor's Medal of Merit. The medal may be presented to an
52	individual only once.
53	Section 2. Paragraph (n) is added to subsection (2) of
54	section 250.10, Florida Statutes, to read:
55	250.10 Appointment and duties of the Adjutant General.--
56	(2) The Adjutant General shall:
57	(n) Issue decorations and awards pursuant to military
58	regulations and instructions.
59	Section 3. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.