Chairmen of the Alabama House and Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committees have introduced legislation to establish the Alabama Veterans Resource Center (AVRC), a comprehensive, one-stop hub designed to provide holistic support for the state’s veterans, military personnel, and their families.
Filed by State Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville) and State Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre), the proposed legislation seeks a $5 million appropriation from the state’s General Fund to launch the AVRC. The center aims to address critical gaps in veteran services, focusing on mental and physical health, employment opportunities, social connections, and overall well-being.
“Returning to civilian life after serving our country can be challenging for America’s heroes,” said Oliver, who chairs the House Military and Veteran Affairs Committee and served over 31 years in the military. “Supporting Alabama’s 400,000 veterans will always be a top priority, and I fully believe the Alabama Veterans Resource Center has the power to uplift the men and women who have made great sacrifices for our country.”
The AVRC will be continually strengthened through public-private partnerships with support from the business community, including companies like Alabama Power.
The Veteran Mental Health Steering Committee identified the need for the AVRC in its recent gap study, officially recommending legislative action to address deficiencies in mental health resources for veterans — which quickly aligned with priorities outlined by Gov. Kay Ivey during her 2025 State of the State address Tuesday night.
“We must ensure a path for everyone who wants a job to get one, especially our veterans,” Ivey said. “I am proud to support legislation from Senator Andrew Jones and Representative Ed Oliver to make the Department of Veterans Affairs part of the Governor’s Cabinet.”
.@GovernorKayIvey officially announces support for a cabinet-level position for the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs – “Our veterans are not only part of the fabric of our great nation. They are our fellow Alabamians.” #alpolitics
— Grayson Everett (@Grayson270) February 5, 2025
In addition to creating the AVRC, the proposal would restructure the state’s veterans’ advisory board to better represent veterans from all military branches and eras. Ivey emphasized the need for a board that can “fiercely and effectively advocate for the unique needs of veterans of every generation – and their families.”
“As chairman of the Senate Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs, I’ve had the honor of working with leaders in the veteran community to identify areas where state government can better serve Alabama’s veteran population,” said Jones.
“The AVRC will bridge the gap between military and civilian life, connecting veterans with opportunities that match their skills while also helping them develop new ones. Alabama is widely regarded as one of the most military-friendly states in the nation, and this initiative moves us closer to also being one of the most veteran-friendly states.”
The legislation will debut this morning in the Alabama Senate Military and Veterans Affairs committee. Today is the second day of the 2025 legislative session.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
