The conflict within the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs leadership and with Gov. Kay Ivey and other departments appears to have died down with the ousting last month of former Commissioner Kent Davis.
But the very public row seems likely to lead to some long-term changes in how leadership at the state VA is selected in the future.
The VA commissioner is not currently a governor appointee, but is instead selected by the Alabama Veterans Affairs Board. Besides the governor, the board is made up of representatives nominated to the governor from several veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
Legislation to change that is likely in the 2025 legislative session. Ivey is expected to support a bill to make the commissioner a direct appointment by the governor. The board could be converted to be more advisory and better representative of Alabama’s 400,000 plus veterans.
Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, is chairman of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee. He said he’s had recent discussions with multiple stakeholders and “there seems to be a consensus that the next ADVA commissioner should be a cabinet official who answers to the governor.”
He agreed the current board of veterans affairs would become more of an advisory body.
“In my role as Chairman, I’ve enjoyed speaking to veterans groups and hearing from veterans all over the state about what is important to them in a possible transition,” Jones told IAP. “I look forward to continuing those discussions in the lead up to our legislative session.”
Davis was removed as commissioner last month in a power move by Ivey after the board refused to follow her lead and oust him. She’d called for his removal after first asking for his resignation, citing the department’s mishandling of American Rescue Plan Act grant programs, the filing of a “frivolous” ethics complaint, manipulation of the board, and breach of the original agreement between Ivey and Davis that the resignation he submitted in September would take effect at the end of the year.
Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, is chairman of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. He said recently that while he couldn’t speak to possible ADVA structure changes, he’s “very disappointed in the fact that it has become about people instead of veterans.”
“As a veteran, I’m very disappointed in that,” Oliver said. “People can rest assured, veterans in particular, that the focus in my committee, and I think Sen. Jones’, we’re trying to keep the focus on veterans, and ultimately we hope to get all this worked out in the best interest of veterans.”
The session is still more than two months away, but Oliver said he’s already aware of several important bills that will be before his committee, including efforts to expand veterans courts across the state and improving recruiting for the National Guard.