SB70 Summary

• Creates the Alabama Veterans Resource Center as a public corporation, independent from state government, to provide comprehensive support services to Alabama veterans and their families including benefits assistance, job placement, mental health programs, and education opportunities.

• Establishes a board of directors composed of appointed members from the Governor (3), Speaker of the House (1), Lieutenant Governor (1), President Pro Tempore of the Senate (1), plus ex officio members including the Commissioners of Veterans Affairs, Mental Health, and the Secretary of Workforce, with the Workforce Secretary serving as board chair.

• Grants the board broad powers to manage operations, hire staff, enter contracts, accept grants and donations, and create a hub-and-spoke service delivery model with a central office and regional locations, including public-private partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

• Exempts the center and private entities entering partnerships with it from state competitive bidding laws, open meetings requirements, ethics laws, and public records laws to facilitate flexible operations and private collaboration.

• Becomes effective June 1, 2025, and may be dissolved by three-quarters board vote, with all property reverting to the state upon dissolution.