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 November 2025 Drill Talking Points

Nov 5, 2025 | Legislative

Government Shutdown Impact

The ongoing federal government shutdown continues to have significant effects on the National Guard and its members.
Key impacts:

  • Unpaid Title 32 Guard members: Thousands of Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) personnel and Dual-Status Technicians (DSTs) remain without pay, despite performing essential duties.
  • Readiness degradation: Cancelled training, delayed maintenance, and halted logistics operations are reducing overall unit readiness and mission capability.
  • Title 32 vs. Title 10 disparity: Guard members under state control (Title 32) are excluded from pay protections and benefits afforded to federal (Title 10) counterparts, further highlighting the need for duty status reform, a 2026 priority for EANGUS.

 

Legislative Action

EANGUS has taken proactive steps to protect National Guard members affected by the shutdown:

  • EANGUS Shutdown Fairness Letter (Oct. 23): EANGUS sent its own letter to Senate leadership urging that Title 32 AGRs and DSTs be explicitly included in Senator Ron Johnson’s Shutdown Fairness Act (S.3012).
    • These members have been forced to work without pay or furloughed, threatening readiness and family stability.
  • Joint Association Letter (Oct 28): EANGUS joined NGAUS, AGAUS, and ROA in calling on Congress to pass a Continuing Resolution or stand-alone bill to pay AGRs, TARs, technicians (civilian and dual-status), and drilling reservists.
    • The coalition emphasized how cancelled drills and furloughs compound readiness losses and harm families.

 

Member & Leadership Engagement

  • Washington, D.C. Field Visit: Legislative Director Nick Weinstein and Director of Marketing and Business Development Elizabeth Moseley spent a day alongside Mississippi National Guard members serving the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, observing their daily operations and learning how EANGUS can better support them.
  • Hill Meetings: EANGUS Executive Director John Gipe and the Legislative Director also met with Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Mississippi Guard leaders. The visit provided Guardsmen an opportunity to meet their Senator and share experiences from their deployment. The Senator’s team was eager to coordinate a follow-up meeting with EANGUS to discuss Guard priorities in greater depth.
  • Special Recognition: EANGUS extends sincere appreciation to SFC Chris Mitchke and SGM Short, both EANGUS members and Guardsmen from Mississippi, currently deployed to Washington, D.C. with the 112th Military Police Battalion out of Canton, MS, for their leadership in coordinating EANGUS’s participation in the meeting and inviting our team to spend a day alongside the Mississippi National Guard.