SB225 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim McClendon
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Alabama Cold War Victory Medal Act, established
Summary: SB 225 would create the Alabama Cold War Victory Medal to recognize eligible Alabama National Guard and armed forces members, set eligibility and design rules, and provide that the state medal would be superseded by a federal Cold War Medal when available.
What This Bill Does
It would authorize the Adjutant General, with the Governor's help, to establish and award the Alabama Cold War Victory Medal and to set the rules for awarding it. Eligible recipients are current or former members of the Armed Forces who served between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991 and who were Alabama residents when they entered service. Each eligible person can receive only one medal for the Cold War period, and wear of the medal is allowed only until a federal Cold War Medal (or its equivalent) is authorized; once the federal medal exists, the Alabama medal is rescinded and the federal medal is worn instead.

Who It Affects
Current or former members of the Alabama National Guard or the U.S. armed forces who served during the Cold War and were Alabama residents at entry; they may be awarded the medal and allowed to wear it (subject to the federal replacement rule).
State officials (Governor and Adjutant General) who will establish regulations, approve the medal design, and oversee the award process and its wear.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Alabama Cold War Victory Medal Act of 2018.
Authorizes the Governor, in consultation with the Adjutant General, to adopt regulations and policies for establishing and awarding the medal.
Sets eligibility: service between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991, and Alabama residency at entry into service.
Limits to one Alabama Cold War Victory Medal per person for the entire period of eligibility.
Design must be selected from existing designs for similar Cold War awards and approved by the Adjutant General; only one design may be worn by a person.
The medal may be awarded and worn only during the period when a federal Cold War Medal or equivalent is not authorized; once a federal medal is established, the Alabama medal is rescinded and the federal medal is worn instead.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: National Guard