The granite monument, given to the state by the Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1971, was originally located near the floral clock on Capitol Grounds.
It was removed in the 1980s for a construction project and never replaced. A push to return the monument in 2000 failed a court challenge, but Rep. Shane Baker successfully spearheaded an effort to return the monument to the grounds during the 2025 legislative session.
"The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared up the legal issues that had sent it back to Hopkinsville and has made history and tradition standard. Returning the monument to the Capitol Grounds is historic restoration and acknowledges the history and tradition of the Commonwealth," Baker said.
Two lawmakers expressed moderate reservations about the proposed return of the monument in committee, asking whether similar markers tied to other faiths would be allowed and if the state is inviting another legal challenge.
"It gives me a little heartburn around separation of of church and state," Rep. Joshua Watkins noted.
Legislation enabling the restoration of the monument cleared the General Assembly and became law without Gov. Andy Beshear's signature in March.