Governor Ivey Signs Bills to Enhance Benefits for Alabama Military Members, Veterans and Their Families

Governor Ivey Signs Bills to Enhance Benefits for Alabama Military Members, Veterans and Their Families

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey has signed into law legislation passed this session to expand benefits for Alabama Guard personnel, veterans and their families. These new laws will improve education and workforce training assistance for Guardsmen, offer temporary teaching certification for veterans and expand employment opportunities for military and veteran spouses.

“Alabamians are among the most patriotic Americans and their dedication to protect our country and safeguard our freedom continually deserves our praise and support,” said Governor Ivey.  “I was pleased to sign into law this session legislation addressing military education and workforce training benefits and promoting greater employment opportunities for military spouses. These measures and others I have signed further demonstrate our gratitude to our military and their families for their service as well as leveraging their unique skills in growing Alabama’s workforce.”

Legislation signed by Governor Ivey to benefit military members and veterans include:

Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (HB233)
Expands ANGEAP tuition assistance for Alabama Guardsmen to include workforce development training in addition to traditional degree programs. Furthermore, it ensures more timely delivery of education assistance funds to students’ accounts.

Expanding Employment Opportunities for Military Families (HB307)

Enhances state government hiring and promotion preferences for military spouses and authorizes local government and private sector employers to give preferences to veterans and the spouses of veterans and active-duty service members in their hiring processes.

Accepting Military Training for EMS Licensure (HB182)
Requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to accept an applicant’s education, training and experience gained during U.S. military service as credit toward meeting state Emergency Medical Services (EMS) license requirements.

Alabama National Guard State Income Tax Exemption (HB341)
Exempts Alabama National Guard personnel from paying state income tax on the first $5,000 of income received for inactive duty training, beginning January 1, 2027. 

Veterans Temporary Teaching Certificate (SB149)
Authorizes the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) to issue temporary teaching certificates to eligible veterans who would otherwise need at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify.  This will address teacher shortages while affording veterans the opportunity to serve Alabama students in the classroom.

Removing Home Loan Barrier for Totally Disabled Veterans (HB77)
Allows a 100-percent-disabled veteran to receive a tentative property exemption certificate at the beginning of their mortgage application process, making it easier for them to qualify for a home loan and obtain a home of their own.

Exempting Totally Disabled Veterans from Annual Homestead Exemption Verification (HB155)
Removes the requirement for an annual verification of homestead exemptions for permanent and totally disabled veterans who have already qualified.

Enhancing Student Access to Military Career Pathways (SB158)

Requires Alabama high schools to offer their students greater access to military career pathways through annual voluntary Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) testing, administered by military recruiters.

Updating Alabama Military Awards (HB323)

Modernizes Alabama’s military awards protocol while ensuring that past service is appropriately recognized. It clarifies award criteria, reinforces the significance of honors such as the Governor’s Cross and Distinguished Service Medal, and expands recognition to reflect the full scope of service. It also allows for certain awards to be granted retroactively.

Governor Ivey believes Alabama’s military, veterans and their families are not only an invaluable asset to the state, but they also help build a stronger future for all.

A photo of Governor Ivey signing HB155 is attached.

EANGUS President Shares the Voice of the Enlisted Guard on “Serving Those Who Serve Part-Time”

Oct 21, 2025 | Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) President CMSgt Josh J. Baker was recently invited to speak during the October “Battle Rhythm” webinar hosted by America’s Warrior Partnership (AWP), a national organization dedicated to empowering veteran-serving nonprofits. The topic, “Serving Those Who Serve Part-Time: Supporting National Guard Members,” brought together leaders from across the military and veteran community to discuss how best to strengthen resources for America’s Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen.

During his presentation, President Baker shared the mission of EANGUS — to promote the status, welfare, and professionalism of enlisted members of the Army and Air National Guard, ensuring they receive fair benefits, quality of life improvements, and the recognition they have earned through service. Founded in 1972, EANGUS now represents all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, serving as the unified voice of over 450,000 Soldiers, Airmen, retirees, and their families.

Baker highlighted EANGUS’ decades of advocacy victories, including securing TRICARE Reserve Select, Post-9/11 GI Bill access for Title 32 activations, lowering the retirement age for deployed Guard members, expanding commissary privileges, and achieving full veteran status and DD-214 documentation for all Guardsmen and Reservists. He also emphasized EANGUS’ ongoing push for better childcare access, family support programs, and mental health services for Guard members who often live far from traditional military installations.

“Too many of our Guardsmen serve part-time but face full-time challenges,” said Baker. “They stand ready for hurricanes, wildfires, deployments, and emergencies — yet many still struggle to access the benefits and support systems available to active-duty counterparts. EANGUS exists to change that.”

The presentation also underscored EANGUS’ National Guard Relief Foundation (We Care for America), which provides emergency financial assistance to Guardsmen and their families during crises such as natural disasters, medical emergencies, and unexpected hardships. Baker called it “the heart of our mission — caring for those who serve and ensuring no Guard family faces hardship alone.”

This engagement with America’s Warrior Partnership marks another milestone in EANGUS’ outreach and collaboration with veteran and military service organizations (VSOs and MSOs) nationwide, expanding awareness of the National Guard’s dual role under both state and federal authority — and the distinct challenges that come with it.

Watch the full presentation here: Serving Those Who Serve Part-Time – Battle Rhythm