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Governor Kay Ivey, on Tuesday announced that Senate Bill 67 (SB67), aimed at restructuring the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, has garnered support from major Veterans Service Organizations in the state. The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, and the American Veterans have collectively endorsed the engrossed version of SB67, which was passed on Feb. 18, 2025.
In a joint statement, the VSOs emphasized the importance of referring to the engrossed bill rather than the introduced version. They highlighted that the legislation elevates the ADVA Commissioner to a Cabinet-level position, granting the Commissioner direct oversight of the department’s daily operations. This change has been favorably discussed among ADVA Board Members and the Commissioner over the past two years.
The statement also noted that SB67 maintains the current appointment process for the State Board of Veterans Affairs. It introduces safeguards for future realignments based on factors such as attendance, membership strength of the VSOs, and limits on consecutive terms for board members. The Board’s responsibilities, as outlined in the legislation, include advising the Commissioner on veterans’ matters, developing policy recommendations related to veterans and their families, proposing initiatives to support veterans’ well-being, and assisting the Commissioner and the department as needed.
The VSOs expressed their gratitude to Governor Ivey, Senator Andrew Jones, Representative Oliver, and others who collaborated to ensure the bill enhances the ADVA and the Board’s ability to serve Alabama’s veterans effectively. They stated, “We are proud to support SB67.”
Governor Ivey also expressed her appreciation for the collaborative efforts on this legislation. She stated, “Alabama’s 400,000 veterans deserve our very best. I appreciate our veterans for working with us on this legislation, and I am proud to have their support for SB67. Working together, we will elevate the work of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and give our veterans a stronger voice.”
The Alabama Senate passed SB67 with a 21-9 vote, granting the governor authority to appoint the head of the ADVA, a role previously filled by the State Board of Veterans Affairs. This move aims to elevate the position to a Cabinet-level role within the state government. The bill now awaits consideration in the Alabama House of Representatives.
