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AlabamaSB702025 Regular SessionSenate

Alabama Veterans Resource Center, center and board created to assist veterans and families transition to civilian life; duties and powers of board provided

Sponsored By: Andrew Jones (Republican)

Enacted

Military

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New support center for Alabama veterans

Effective June 1, 2025, the law establishes the Alabama Veterans Resource Center as a public corporation separate from the state. Its board can provide Alabama veterans and their families with benefits assistance, career counseling, job placement, education, and training. It can also offer mental health, wellness, and family support through a central office and regional offices. The law sets no opening date and does not change existing benefit eligibility rules.

Veterans center gains funding and grant powers

The law creates a dedicated State Treasury fund for all money the veterans center receives, subject to state budget rules. Sources can include appropriations, loans, federal gifts and grants, sponsorships, and donations. The board can award money or in-kind help to people and organizations when it determines the aid supports its purposes or powers. It can also form public-private partnerships with nonprofits and other groups, with renewal required each year. The law sets no funding amount, grant amount, or recipient eligibility rules.

Veterans center gets limited oversight exemptions

The board can contract, lease, invest, and spend without following the state competitive-bid laws cited in the act. Private partners do not become subject to specified ethics, open-meetings, bidding, or public-records laws solely through covered center activities. Board members must follow state ethics rules but are exempt from filing statements of economic interests. Open-meeting rules still apply, but private sessions are allowed for sensitive discussions about veterans' needs, programs, or services. Members holding public office or public jobs can take official actions affecting the center only without impermissible personal gain.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Andrew Jones

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Chris Elliott

    Republican • Senate

  • Dan Roberts

    Republican • Senate

  • David Sessions

    Republican • Senate

  • Gerald H. Allen

    Republican • Senate

  • Jack W. Williams

    Republican • Senate

  • Keith Kelley

    Republican • Senate

  • Kirk Hatcher

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lance Bell

    Republican • Senate

  • Larry Stutts

    Republican • Senate

  • Randy Price

    Republican • Senate

  • Robert Stewart

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rodger M. Smitherman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tom Butler

    Republican • Senate

  • Wes Kitchens

    Republican • Senate

  • William M. Beasley

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 549 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/18/2025

Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 131

Yes: 29 • No: 0

House vote • 2/18/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 159

Yes: 101 • No: 0

House vote • 2/18/2025

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 158

Yes: 100 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/18/2025

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 157

Yes: 100 • No: 0

House vote • 2/18/2025

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 98 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/6/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 10

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/6/2025

Coleman-Madison motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 9

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/6/2025

Smitherman motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 8

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/6/2025

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 28 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    2/27/2025Senate

  2. Signature Requested

    2/20/2025House

  3. Delivered to Governor

    2/20/2025Senate

  4. Ready to Enroll

    2/19/2025Senate

  5. Enrolled

    2/19/2025Senate

  6. Third Reading in Second House

    2/18/2025House

  7. Military and Veterans Affairs Engrossed Substitute Offered

    2/18/2025House

  8. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 157

    2/18/2025House

  9. Brown 1st Amendment Offered

    2/18/2025House

  10. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 158

    2/18/2025House

  11. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 159

    2/18/2025House

  12. Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 131

    2/18/2025Senate

  13. Military and Veterans Affairs 1st Amendment

    2/12/2025House

  14. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    2/12/2025House

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

    2/12/2025House

  16. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/6/2025Senate

  17. Smitherman 1st Amendment Offered

    2/6/2025Senate

  18. Smitherman motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 8

    2/6/2025Senate

  19. Coleman-Madison 1st Amendment Offered

    2/6/2025Senate

  20. Coleman-Madison motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 9

    2/6/2025Senate

  21. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 10

    2/6/2025Senate

  22. Engrossed

    2/6/2025Senate

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

    2/6/2025House

  24. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/6/2025House

  25. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    2/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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