The State of Vorarlberg on the Internet

History
Up to 1918 the creation and awarding of medals and similar awards in Austria was the exclusive right of the crown, of the emperor. After the foundation of the Republic of Austria the federal government assumed this function. 
In 1950, however, the State Government of Vorarlberg obtained the following clarification of the division of competences before the Constitutional Court: The creation of medals for achievements in the service of the Republic of Austria is a matter for the federal government. The creation of badges of honour for achievements in the services of an individual State is the responsibility of the State Government. (State Gazette  no. 46/1951).
As a result of this, all Austrian States created their own awards. The State of Vorarlberg established the following honours:

1952:  Fire brigade medal in bronze and silver
1963:  Medal of distinction of the State of Vorarlberg
1963:  Lifesaving medal
1968:  Medal for sporting achievement
1968:  Medal for services to Vorarlberg sport
1975:  Medal for achievements with the local security police
1978:  Medal for distinguished service to the State of Vorarlberg
1985:  Montfort order
2000:  Fire brigade medal in gold
 
Granting of medals
The Medal of distinction of the State of Vorarlberg
is granted by a State Medal Council. The State Governors and State Presidents receive the gold medal on being elected by the State Parliament. All the other State decorations are granted by the State Government.
 
Awarding
The State decorations are awarded by the State Governor or, in his absence, by the State President or members of the State Government.

On the State holiday (19th of March) and the national holiday (26th of October) the State Governor awards State and federal awards in a special  ceremony.
 
Legal basis
All Vorarlberg State awards are governed by State laws and in some cases regulated in more detail by ordinances of the State Government.
Last reviewed 31.12.2003:

• Medal of distinction law (State Gazette no. 16/1963, 47/1985, 58/2001).
• Medal for distinguished service law (State Gazette no. 23/1978, 58/2001).
• Medal for distinguished service ordinance(State Gazette no. 41/1978).
• Law on the Montfort order (State Gazette no. 46/1985, 58/2001); Ordinance on the Montfort order (State Gazette no. 12/1986).
• Law on the fire brigade medal of the State of Vorarlberg (State Gazette no. 41/2000); ordinance on the implementation of law on the fire brigade medal of the State of Vorarlberg (State Gazette no. 61/2000).
• Lifesaving law (State Gazette no. 46/1979, 56/1990, 57/1997, 58/2001, § 13); ordinance on the implementation of law on the fire brigade medal of the State of Vorarlberg (State Gazette no. 61/2000).
• Sport law (State Gazette no. 15/1972, 17/1995, 58/2001, § 8 Abs. 1 und 2); sports medal ordinance (State Gazette no. 37/1969).
• Security law (State Gazette no. 49/1975, § 29 Abs. 2); ordinance of the State Government on the medal for achievements with the local security police (State Gazette no. 44/1984, 7/1988).

The laws can be viewed on the Vorarlberg legal information system (VORIS).