MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On Tuesday, the Alabama Senate approved a bill that authorizes the governor to appoint the head of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, a decision influenced by previous tensions between Governor Kay Ivey and the former commissioner of the department.
The Senate cast a vote of 21-9 in favor of this legislation, which modifies the existing structure where the State Board of Veterans Affairs is responsible for hiring the commissioner. The bill will now proceed to the Alabama House of Representatives for further consideration.
Senator Andrew Jones, a Republican and supporter of the bill, expressed the intent to elevate the position of the commissioner within the state government, aiming for it to be considered a cabinet-level role. He emphasized the importance of having the agency fully integrated into state governance.
Initially, the bill included provisions to alter the State Board of Veterans Affairs as well. However, the current focus remains on the appointment process.
The timing of this vote follows a public dispute earlier this year between Ivey’s administration and Kent Davis, the former Veterans Affairs Commissioner. The governor publicly criticized Davis for his perceived lack of cooperation with her office and for allegedly mismanaging a grant program linked to the American Rescue Plan. Supporters of Davis countered that there had been no mishandling of any funds.
After the State Board declined to terminate Davis’s position, Ivey utilized her authority as the governor to dismiss him from his role.
Some senators expressed concerns during the vote, stating they wished to have more time to explore the latest version of the bill before casting their votes.
