On Thursday, the Alabama Senate passed SB70, a proposal establishing the Alabama Veterans Resource Center (AVRC) to streamline services for the state’s more than 400,000 veterans.
If signed into law, a veterans resource center would be created as an umbrella to connect veterans with employment opportunities, healthcare services, education benefits, and mental health resources. A nine-member advisory board would oversee the center’s progress and operations, including members that will be appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative leadership.
The bill requires a $5 million appropriation from the state’s general fund to establish the AVRC. But after that, it will be funded through public-private partnerships, according to State Sen. Andrew Jones, the bill’s sponsor and chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs committee.
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“The state’s going to make a one-time investment, assuming the budget passes,” said Jones. “After that, it’ll be funded exclusively by private dollars moving forward — a public-private partnership to help our veterans.”
Jones said that format will allow the resource center to collaborate with private organizations, businesses and veteran service groups to expand job training, workforce development and mental health services.
There are currently veterans centers scattered throughout the state, and according to Jones, the proposal will consolidate these resources under one umbrella, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and enhancing service accessibility for veterans and their families.
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“We need to coordinate consolidated efforts and have a one stop place, maybe even a one stop website that’s connected to that place that helps our veterans get what they need,” Jones told lawmakers on Thursday.
The legislation passed in the Senate unanimously after being amended to include the appointment of a female member to the board as well as members chosen by the Minority Leaders of the House and Senate.
The bill now moves to the House for final passage. Today is the third day of the legislative session.
Grace Heim is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You can follow her on X @graceeheim or email her at [email protected].
