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AlabamaSB672025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Veterans Affairs, board membership revised, appointment and duties of commissioner provided for

Sponsored By: Andrew Jones (Republican)

Enacted

State Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.

State veterans home costs and access

State veterans home residents pay the operator directly by the 10th of each month; the commissioner sets the cost. The law gives no dollar amount or formula. The department now sets admission and discharge rules, using those in place when the application is submitted. Veterans must qualify for care under federal law, specifically 38 U.S.C. §§ 1710 and 1741. The department and its institutions may also manage special accounts for residents’ personal money and donations without board approval.

Commissioner directs veterans staff and outreach

Effective immediately, Alabama’s veterans affairs department takes over rulemaking; existing board rules remain until the department changes or repeals them. The commissioner directs staff and appoints assistant commissioners, district managers, and veteran service officers. The commissioner sets these officers’ salaries and minimum service standards without board approval. Merit System appointments still require authorization and State Personnel Board approval. The commissioner may also conduct public education and marketing without board approval; the law sets no spending amount.

Department manages state veterans cemeteries

Alabama’s veterans affairs department establishes and operates state veterans cemeteries with board input. It may accept government and private funding, suitable land, and donations, and contract for cemetery operations. Cemetery money goes into the Veterans Assistance Fund and may pay only for cemetery purposes. Education Trust Fund money cannot finance these projects.

Veterans board gains broader representation

Alabama’s veterans affairs board now advises the commissioner and recommends policies and services instead of adopting department rules. Appointments must represent different military branches and service eras, including veterans who do not belong to veterans’ organizations. Appointing authorities must coordinate to reflect racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity among Alabama veterans. Members may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Active-duty members may serve only as federal law permits.

Veterans service agreements shift to commissioner

With board input rather than approval, the commissioner may arrange veterans services through organizations or agreements with other states. A contracting organization must have maintained a veterans service committee or agency for the previous five years. The commissioner must find that services cannot otherwise be provided satisfactorily and that contracting serves veterans’ best interests. Organizations must protect confidential veteran relationships; claims work requires the veteran’s signed power of attorney. Payment comes from department funds only for services rendered. Interstate agreements cover services in Alabama for nonresident veterans, but the law sets no service package or funding amount.

Department takes charge of veterans homes

Alabama’s veterans affairs department now awards contracts to nongovernment operators to run state veterans homes through competing proposals. Contracts last no more than five years; the department selects the most advantageous proposal, not necessarily the cheapest. The commissioner appoints home directors without board approval, based on education, ability, and relevant management experience—not political affiliation. With board input, the commissioner oversees home operations and rules and accepts grants, gifts, property, and other contributions. The commissioner replaces the board in approving spending, but home trust-fund spending remains limited by legislative budgets and appropriations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Andrew Jones

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Donnie Chesteen

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 452 • No: 81

House vote • 3/6/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 376

Yes: 56 • No: 39 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/6/2025

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 68 • No: 21 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 2/18/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 130

Yes: 21 • No: 9 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/18/2025

Jones motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 129

Yes: 22 • No: 6 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Coleman motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 35

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Sessions motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 34

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Coleman-Madison motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 33

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Elliott motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 32

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Price motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 31

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Carnley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 30

Yes: 29 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Singleton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 29

Yes: 29 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Albritton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 28

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Albritton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 27

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 21 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Ready to Enroll

    3/18/2025Senate

  2. Enrolled

    3/18/2025Senate

  3. Delivered to Governor

    3/18/2025Senate

  4. Signature Requested

    3/18/2025House

  5. Enacted

    3/18/2025Senate

  6. Third Reading in Second House

    3/6/2025House

  7. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 376

    3/6/2025House

  8. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/27/2025House

  9. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    2/26/2025House

  10. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs

    2/20/2025House

  11. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/20/2025House

  12. Engrossed

    2/19/2025Senate

  13. Carried Over to the Call of the Chair

    2/18/2025Senate

  14. Jones 1st Substitute Offered

    2/18/2025Senate

  15. Jones motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 129

    2/18/2025Senate

  16. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 130

    2/18/2025Senate

  17. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/11/2025Senate

  18. Albritton 1st Amendment Offered

    2/11/2025Senate

  19. Albritton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 27

    2/11/2025Senate

  20. Albritton 2nd Amendment Offered

    2/11/2025Senate

  21. Albritton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 28

    2/11/2025Senate

  22. Singleton 1st Amendment Offered

    2/11/2025Senate

  23. Singleton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 29

    2/11/2025Senate

  24. Carnley 1st Amendment Offered

    2/11/2025Senate

  25. Carnley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 30

    2/11/2025Senate

Bill Text

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