Opposition continues for the legislation putting the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) commissioner under the governor's control, while the bill’s House sponsor has assured advancement in the lower chamber without additional changes.
Senate Bill 67 (SB67) shifts the ADVA commissioner's hiring and firing responsibility to the governor. The role currently answers to the State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA). The bill also turns the SBVA into an advisory board.
Senate lawmakers heavily amended the bill during debate, resulting in an eventual substitute encompassing multiple changes, many of which were requested by the state’s Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs).
House Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), who also sponsors the House version of the bill, told 1819 News on Monday it would clear his committee on Wednesday and should be on the House floor the following week.
According to Oliver, the substitute bill encompasses the changes requested by VSOs during public hearings and private meetings.
“It will pass as-is,” Oliver told 1819 News. "Everyone has agreed. All of the historic veterans groups have got exactly what they asked for in it and have endorsed the bill as it stands. I don’t know how we would make it any better, to be honest with you.”
The Senate’s amended version still elevates the ADVA commissioner to a cabinet position. However, it also maintains the current law, keeping the governor as the sole appointer of board members selected from recommendations from the state’s VSOs.
Under the new bill, the SBVA would only exist in an “oversight capacity” and have no real authority.
Despite Oliver’s claims of unanimity amongst VSOs, a group of veterans is planning a rally on Tuesday afternoon to protest the bill.
For Oliver, however, the continued resistance only comes from those “trying to get donation clicks,” explicitly calling out Eagle Forum of Alabama’s Becky Gerritson.
“A lot of folks are upset, and they don’t know why they’re upset,” Oliver continued. “Anybody that reads the bill, or follows the legislation, or is interested in veterans affairs and understands what the mission is would not be upset, which is why we were able to work so well with the leadership of VFW [Veterans of Foreign Wars], DAV [Disabled American Veterans], and the American Legion. We even added AMVETS, which is a much smaller group.”
He continued, “Remember, all of the VSOs support the bill. These are people that are stirred up by people like Becky Gerritson or people that are trying to get donation clicks. It has nothing to do with the reality of the legislation, or helping veterans, or accountability of state taxpayers’ tax dollars. This is all people acting on information they don’t understand or they are misinformed about. It’s just unfortunate.”
A forwarded email was provided to 1819 News from a source that wished to remain anonymous. The email was from Robert Schmidbauer with VFW to other VFW members, as well as the American Legion, AMVETS and DAV, asking their approval to pass on a statement of support to Gov. Kay Ivey's office to use in her own press release with the following caveat: "I am recommending that names are not attached to the comments, to protect the leadership of each department."
"The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion. The Disabled American Veterans, and the AMVETS endorse SB67 engrossed as passed on 18 February 2025," the proposed statement reads. "We urge all Veterans to ensure they are reading the Engrossed Bill and not referring to the introduced SB67."
The statement goes on to expound on the bill's effects. However, not every VSO is on board. Last week, the Alabama chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), which still has a board-nominating role in the amended bill, came out against the bill. President Pete Riehm said their position has not changed, and representatives will speak against the bill at the Tuesday rally.
SEE: Ivey persistent on ADVA remake despite pushback from veterans groups
Gerritson likewise rejected Oliver's assertion that opposing the bill was motivated by clicks or driven by being uninformed.
According to Gerritson, her opposition stems from the SBVA's downgrading to a mere advisory role and the commissioner being placed under Ivey's authority.
"My argument is, it's never been a cabinet position; why does it need to be a cabinet position?" Gerritson said. “[Ivey] is the head of the [SBVA]; she should have great communication. She should be going to all of their meetings. She should not need to pull this in as a cabinet position. It was not set up that way. The veterans board should stay apolitical."
She continued, "This bill strips all accountability away, and you will see, throughout the bill, the commissioner no longer needs permission to do anything. He can be advised. He can receive recommendations. But there's no teeth whatsoever. He can say, 'screw you. I don't want to do that.'"
Despite the pushback, Oliver still insists the bill will ultimately help the state's veterans.
"Anybody that doesn't like Governor Ivey, that's fine," Oliver continued. "She'll be gone in two years. All of us who have had anything to do with this legislation will be gone soon. We are trying to write something that, 10 or 20 years from now, still supports veterans and makes sure that veterans get the things that they deserve. So, we're actually expanding the mission of ADVA. We're providing better services. They get to receive the full agency support of every cabinet-level agency. And it's one of those things where you scratch your head and say, 'Who would be against this?' Well, nobody that understands it."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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