MONTGOMERY-Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday was proud to share that Senate Bill 67, the bill to restructure the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA), has earned the support of major Veterans Service Organizations in Alabama.
The Veterans Service Organizations shared the following comment:
“The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), The American Legion (TAL) and the American Veterans (AMVETS) endorse SB67 engrossed as passed on February 18, 2025. We urge all Veterans to ensure they are reading the engrossed bill and not referring to the introduced SB67.
“The legislation elevates the Commissioner to a Cabinet level position and places the day-to-day routine actions of the Department directly under the Commissioner. This exact action has been discussed favorably amongst ADVA Board Members and the ADVA Commissioner for the last two years.
“The legislation keeps the existing appointment process for the State Board of Veterans Affairs. It adds safeguards for future realignment based on attendance, membership strength of the Veterans Service Organizations, as well as the number of consecutive terms that may be served by a member.
“The legislation states that the Board shall serve in an oversight capacity and has the following responsibilities: Advise the Commissioner on Veterans’ matters that are within the scope of the authority of the Department, those day-to-day activities; develop policy recommendations for the state as it relates to Veterans and Veterans’ families; recommend initiatives to assist the wellbeing of Veterans and Veterans’ families; and assist the Commissioner and Department as needed as otherwise provided in the bill.
“We appreciate the governor, Senator Jones, Representative Oliver and others who have worked with us to ensure this bill helps the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and the Board best serve the state’s veterans. We are proud to support SB67.” – VFW, TAL, AMVETS
Governor Ivey also issued the following quote:
“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.” – Governor Kay Ivey
Media Release/Office of Governor Kay Ivey
