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House sends bill reshaping Veterans Affairs structure to Ivey’s desk

The new law will allow the governor to dismiss the ADVA commissioner at his or her pleasure.

Governor Kay Ivey gave remarks and participated in a ribbon cutting as she joined Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship to dedicate a pier at Roland Cooper State Park in memory of Black Belt outdoor’s legend Big Daddy Lawler' Tuesday August 20, 2024 in Camden, Ala. Governor’s Office /Hal Yeager

The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday narrowly approved a bill that would bring the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs under the governor’s rule.

The bill now only awaits a signature from Gov. Kay Ivey — who originated the legislation — to be made into law. 

SB67 by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, changes the law to make the commissioner of the ADVA a member of the governor’s cabinet, and transforms the governing State Board of Veterans Affairs into an oversight role.

Lawmakers spent just 10 minutes debating the bill despite growing opposition to the restructuring by many Alabama veterans.

Eagle Forum and other conservative groups have focused heavily on opposing the bill, leading to a fracturing among House Republicans as the bill reached its final vote.

Two dozen Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the bill, with five more passing or not present for the vote. Three Democrats abstained from voting, leading to a final vote of 56-39 in favor of the bill.

“Alabama’s 400,000 veterans deserve our very best, and we are well on our way to being the #1 state for veterans,” Ivey posted on X after the bill passed, saying the bill would “further elevate veteran needs in Alabama.”

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Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, spoke briefly on the floor to share his support for the bill as a veteran.

Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, was the only other lawmaker to speak on the bill, noting the opposition that has been voiced by numerous veterans.

Ivey brought the bill after a public fallout with former ADVA commissioner Kent Davis after he filed an ethics complaint against Alabama Department of Mental Health Director Kim Boswell, a member of Ivey’s cabinet.

Under current law, the commissioner is appointed and terminated by the board. Ivey had encouraged the SBVA to fire Davis but failed, leading her to use her “executive authority” to dismiss him. Davis is filing suit against Ivey challenging her authority to take such action.

The new law will allow the governor to dismiss the ADVA commissioner at his or her pleasure.

The 24 Republican representatives who voted against the bill were Phillip Pettus, Tracy Estes, Jamie Kiel, David Standridge, Randy Wood, Bob Fincher, Debbie Wood, Arnold Mooney, Jim Carns, Brett Easterbrook, Matt Simpson, Chris Pringle, Shane Stringer, Margie Wilcox, Chip Brown, Ben Harrison, Mark Shirey, Matt Woods, Donna Givens, Frances Holk-Jones, Ernie Yarbrough and Bryan Brinyark.

Republicans not voting were representatives Scott Stadthagen, Jim Hill, Ben Robbins, Mark Gidley and Kerry Underwood.

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Democratic Representative Patrice McClammy also did not vote, while representatives Sam Jones, Juandalynn Givan and Rolanda Hollis abstained.

Jacob Holmes is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter. You can reach him at jholmes@alreporter.com

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