Military bills signing highlights new laws benefiting Alabama servicemembers and veterans

On Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey held a bill signing ceremony, marking the successful enactment of Alabama’s 2024 Military Bills Package. The package, recommended by Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth’s Military Stability Commission, positions Alabama’s defense communities for further growth, and provides tangible quality of life improvements for Alabama military members, veterans, and their families.

Since being established in 2011, the Alabama Military Stability Commission and its action arm—the Military Stability Foundation—have executed against their charter to support, protect, and expand Department of Defense roles and missions assigned in the state. Partnering with the state legislature, the governor’s office, state agencies, and defense communities to pass pro-military and pro-veteran policies has been a keystone of the Commission and Foundation’s work.

While the work of the legislature is most visible during the Spring regular session, the package is the culmination of work spanning back to early 2023. Throughout the year, the Commission and Foundation teamed with defense communities and legislators to visit Alabama’s military installations to identify the most pressing challenges and opportunities requiring state support. These fact-finding missions give policymakers a first-hand view of the incredible work of military missions throughout the state as well as providing direct engagement with military members and veterans on the issues that matter most to them.

In tandem, the Foundation works closely with the Pentagon to identify and prioritize policy issues relevant to the state and its specific military and veteran needs. And, most importantly, the legislative package addresses the direct feedback and needs of the state’s military leadership, the Department of Veteran Affairs, veteran service organizations, the private sector, and local defense communities and chambers of commerce to ensure that the legislation meets their needs and complements local initiatives.

Pivotal throughout the process are the chairmen and members of the Alabama House and Senate committees overseeing military and veterans’ issues. Representative Ed Oliver and Senator Andrew Jones lead those committees and worked closely with the legislative leadership, the Lt. Governor’s office, and individual bill sponsors to blaze a trail through the crowded and complex road to successful legislation. Representative Kenneth Paschal, vice chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, also provided critical support and leadership to see the package over the finish line.

The legislative package is unique in the State House, as it is both bi-cameral and bi-partisan with 20 bill sponsors from both political parties and dozens of co-sponsors working in tandem. Each bill is introduced in both the House and Senate to maximize awareness and support as the package progresses through dozens of working meetings, hearings, legal reviews, and floor votes during the three-month legislative session.

This year, the state legislature passed 10 pro-military bills addressing several policy areas to further solidify Alabama’s status as one of the most military and veteran friendly states in the country. This years’ package included:

Tax Relief for Deployed and Mobilized Servicemembers

SB209 (ACT NUMBER 2024 – 170) sponsored by Senator Andrew Jones, (Representative Kenneth Paschal sponsored the House companion bill, HB283) – Exempts all overseas deployment pay from state income tax for all servicemembers and exempts National Guard and Reserve state-side mobilization pay from state income tax.

Veterans’ Mental Healthcare Improvement

SB135 (ACT NUMBER 2024-358) sponsored by Senator Andrew Jones, (Representative Chip Brown sponsored the House companion bill, HB197) – Requires the Department of Mental Health and Department of Veterans Affairs to develop a plan to address Alabama veterans’ behavioral health needs and consider pilot programs to address gaps for specific veterans’ behavioral services.

Military Dependent Education and Legal Needs

HB251 (ACT NUMBER 2024 – 397) sponsored by Representative Chad Robertson, (Senator Andrew Jones sponsored the companion bill, SB206) – Allows dependents of military servicemembers to enroll in athletics programs even if they move into Alabama outside of the established registration cycle.
SB211 (ACT NUMBER 2024 – 328) sponsored by Senator Donnie Chesteen, (Representative Patrice McClammy sponsored the House companion bill, HB292) – Allows for remote and early enrollment of military dependents into special education services when moving from out of state. Also requires parental notification and consent before changing a dependent’s Individual Education Plan.
SB210 (ACT NUMBER 2024 – 327) sponsored by Senator Rodger Smitherman, (Representative Kenyatté Hassell sponsored the House companion bill, HB260) – Provides for concurrent state/federal jurisdiction for crimes committed by juveniles on Alabama military installations if the crime is also a state offense and the federal prosecutor waves exclusive jurisdiction.

Military Spouse Occupational Licensure

SB207 (ACT NUMBER 2024 – 366) sponsored by Senator Kirk Hatcher, (Representative Mark Gidley sponsored the House companion bill, HB317) – Enrolls Alabama into the Dietician Interstate Compact to assist with military and military spouse occupational licensure.
SB208 (ACT NUMBER 2024 – 298) sponsored by Senator Keith Kelley, (Representative Kenyatté Hassell sponsored the House companion bill, HB318) – Enrolls Alabama into the Social Work Interstate Compact to assist with military and military spouse occupational licensure.

Statute and Program Modernization

HB284 (ACT NUMBER 2024 – 399) sponsored by Representative Jerry Starnes, (Senator Clyde Chambliss sponsored the bill in the Senate) – Provides uniformity and conformance to federal standards for the provision of benefits under the Alabama GI and Dependents Education Benefit Act.
HB103 (ACT NUMBER 2024 – 442) sponsored by Representative Kenneth Paschal, (Senator Gerald Allen sponsored the bill in the Senate) – Provides technical corrections and modernizes Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs statute.
SB287 (ACT NUMBER 2024 – 329) sponsored by Senator Sam Givhan, (Representative Cynthia Almond sponsored the House companion bill, HB412) – Modernizes the Alabama Code of Military Justice at the request of the Alabama National Guard.

While these laws provide greater authority, resources, and relief to Alabama’s military communities, the effort to ensure Alabama remains the most military and veteran friendly state in the country will always remain unfinished. The strong collaboration of stakeholders must continue as the needs of those who serve our country constantly evolve. No one group or community can single-handedly address all challenges or achieve all goals, so we are blessed in Alabama to have a formidable team, devoted and capable of achieving common goals for America’s best.

Throughout the halls of Congress and the State House and Capitol, in every military community from Redstone to Novosel, from the most senior officer down to the newest enlisted servicemember, within every military family, and through the patriotic citizens of Alabama, our state has the team in place to continue this vital work.

Alabama remains committed to serving those who serve us, finding every way to attempt to repay the unpayable debt we owe those who sacrifice so much for our freedom.

To contact or learn more about the Military Stability Commission and Foundation, as well as view a full list of commissioners and Foundation board members, please visit almsf.org.

Jake Proctor is the Executive Director of the Alabama Military Stability Foundation. Jake previously served as a military and veterans policy staffer in the Alabama congressional delegation as well as an intelligence officer in the Pentagon.