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Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth said on Monday that Alabama continues to rank among the nation’s most welcoming and friendly states for active military, veterans, and their dependents following final passage of the full legislative package offered by the Military Stability Commission.
The Alabama Military Stability Commission is chaired by Ainsworth and tasked with protecting and expanding the footprint of federal military bases and other Department of Defense infrastructure across the state. In addition to several elected officials and cabinet members, the commission also includes regional appointees from areas across the state with a heavy defense concentration.
“Alabama is working hard every day to meet the many needs of active service members, military families, and veterans who remain here once their service ends,” Ainsworth said. “The jobs, incomes, and revenues that Alabama’s military facilities generate are important drivers of our economy, and we are doing everything possible to keep those defense assets growing and expanding for many decades to come.”
Ainsworth said his work as chair of the Military Stability Commission goes beyond the simple dollars and cents generated by the federal footprint in Alabama.
“Of all my responsibilities as lieutenant governor, working to ease the lives of our nation’s soldiers, veterans, and the families that love them is the one that brings me the most personal satisfaction,” Ainsworth said. “Military service is a deep commitment for those who sign the enlistment papers and for the spouses and children who accompany them from duty station to duty station, so making their transition to Alabama easier is the least we can do for the men and women who serve our nation.”
The bills enacted in the military package include:
House Bill 44 by Rep. Chris Blackshear, R – Phenix City, expands the composition of the Military Stability Commission to include representatives from Fort Moore, which was previously known as Fort Benning. As study conducted by the Military Stability Commission reported that Fort Moore, located in Columbus, Georgia, provides 4,346 jobs in Russell and Lee counties with a payroll of $151 million and an economic impact of $472 million.
Senate Bill 17 by Sen. Tom Butler, R – Madison, provides that all state references to the United States Armed Forces should include the United States Space Force.
Senate Bill 37 by Senator Sam Givhan, R – Huntsville, extends professional license reciprocity to spouses of United States Department of Defense contractor spouses.
Senate Bill 46 by Senator Arthur Orr, R – Decatur, establishes the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact allowing teachers licensed in compact member states to teach in Alabama as long as their license requirements meet or exceed Alabama’s requirements.
Senate Bill 67 by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R – Prattville, provides flexibility for educational tuition reimbursement for active members of the Alabama National Guard.
House Bill 246 by Representative Kenneth Paschal, R – Pelham, creates a compact allowing cosmetologists who are licensed to practice in participating states to also practice within Alabama.
House Bill 129 by Representative Kenneth Paschal, R – Pelham, outlines the proper and respectful final disposition of unclaimed cremated remains of military veterans in a state or national cemetery.
House Bill 210 by Representatives Rhett Marques, R – Enterprise, allows active military members who have motor vehicles registered in Alabama but who are required to reside in another state by virtue of their military assignment to satisfy their mandatory motor vehicle liability insurance requirement by purchasing liability coverage in the state where they are stationed on active duty.
