Gov. Ivey signs bill to overhaul Veterans Affairs board, names commissioner

Jeff Newton – Photo from Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs

Governor Kay Ivey has signed the bill that would overhaul the Veterans Affairs board.

Sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones, of Centre, Senate Bill 67 allows the governor to appoint the commissioner. The commissioner would also become a member of the governor’s cabinet and the board would be reduced to an advisory role.

Under the former law, the State Board of Veterans Affairs appointed the commissioner.

After signing Senate Bill 67, Governor Ivey also announced she is appointing Retired Brigadier General Jeffrey Newton to serve as commissioner.

Brigadier General Newton became interim commissioner after Governor Ivey removed former commissioner Kent Davis after the board voted not to remove him despite the governor’s attempts to do so.

“Brigadier General Newton has earned this important job, and I am more than confident he will work to ensure our state better serves all of our 400,000 veterans. He most recently served as interim commissioner of the ADVA and previously worked in the Department to assist veterans and their families receive state and federal benefits,” said Governor Ivey. “I am grateful Jeff has answered the call to serve yet again, and I look forward to working with him to ensure Alabama is the number one state for veterans to live, work and raise a family.”

Brigadier General Newton’s appointment is effective Wednesday, March 19.