Ala. Lt. Governor announces 12-bill package aimed at supporting veterans, troops was approved during 2025 regular session
ALABAMA (WHNT) — Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth announced Tuesday that a package of bills was approved by the Legislature during the 2025 regular session.
The Office of the Lieutenant Governor sent out a news release announcing that a package of 12 bills was approved during the 2025 regular session. The Office said Ainsworth, who chairs the Alabama Military Stability Commission, said the bills 'will help ensure that our state remains the nation's friendliest and most welcoming for active service members, veterans, and their dependents.'
In the release, Ainsworth said Alabama was among the first states to pass legislature ensuring 'occupational licensing reciprocity for military dependents, which allows a military spouse who is licensed to practice in a specific job area in another state to also practice locally while stationed in Alabama.'
The bills approved created a one-stop Alabama Veterans Resource Center, expanded the use of Veterans Treatment Courts, protected veterans from predatory scams and more.
Below is a list of the bills approved and what it would mean for veterans in Alabama:
SB70-engrossedDownload
SB70 aims to 'establish the Alabama Veterans Resource Center to assist military members entering the private sector with employment services, benefits navigation, education opportunities and mental health services,' the Lt. Governors office said.
The bill was signed into law on Feb. 27. It is set to take effect on June 1. You can read the engrossed bill provided to the left.
Alabama-2025-SB200-EnrolledDownload
SB200 aims to 'expand the use of Veterans Treatment Courts across the state and incorporates Veterans Treatment Courts into a newly established statewide Accountability Court system,' the Lt. Governors office said.
This bill was signed into law on April 17. It is set to take effect on October 1 You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
Alabama-2025-SB59-Enrolled-enactedDownload
SB59 aims to 'allow children/dependents of active duty military personnel to substitute military medical records as evidence of age-appropriate immunization and testing in place of the Blue Card for presentation to a public or private school authority. It also renames the 'drug courts' to the 'accountability courts,'' the Lt. Governors office said.
This bill was enacted on March 19. It is set to take effect on July 1. You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
Alabama-2025-SB91-EnrolledDownload
SB91 aims to 'update the Military Planning Act to further prevent the construction of tall structures near military installations and provides clarification for the approval of construction of tall structures by local governing authorities,' the Lt. Governors office said.
It was signed into law on April 16 and is set to take effect on October 1. You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
Alabama-2025-SB206-EnrolledDownload
SB206 aims to 'adopt federal standards to prevent predatory practices by private entities assisting veterans to obtain their benefits and applies Alabama consumer protection penalties to those who violate federal protections,' the Lt. Governors office said.
It was signed into law on May 22 and is set to take effect on October 1. You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
HJR22-enrDownload
HJR22 aims to 'update the military friendly designation program, the Purple Star Schools Program, to allow private schools to participate in the program,' the Lt. Governors office said.
It was signed into law on May 2. You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
SB181-enrDownload
SB181 aims to 'enroll the state of Alabama in the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact to assist with military spouse occupational license reciprocity,' the Lt. Governors office said.
It was signed into law on April 17 and is said to go into effect on October 1. You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
Alabama-2025-SB61-EnrolledDownload
SB61 aims to 'enroll Alabama in the School Psychology Interstate Compact to assist with military spouse occupational license reciprocity,' the Lt. Governors office said.
It was signed into law on April 22 and is said to go into effect on October 1. You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
Alabama-2025-SB104-EnrolledDownload
SB104 aims to 'updates the membership of the Alabama Military Stability Commission,' the Lt. Governors office said.
It was signed into law on April 10 and will take effect on October 1. You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
Alabama-2025-HJR66-EnrolledDownload
HJR66 aims to 'express the support of the Alabama Legislature for the basing of the KC-46A aircraft at the 117th Air Refueling Wing in Birmingham, AL,' the Lt. Governors office said.
It was signed into law on March 3. You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
Alabama-2025-SB179-EnrolledDownload
SB179 aims to 'make updates to the Alabama Code of Military Justice at the request of the Alabama National Guard,' the Lt. Governors office said.
It was signed into law on April 16 and is set to take effect on October 1. You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
Alabama-2025-SB198-EnrolledDownload
SB198 aims to 'clarify the ability of Judge Advocate Generals to provide legal services to a range of National Guard, civilian, and prior service personnel at the Request of the Alabama National Guard,' the Lt. Governors office said.
It was signed into law on April 8 and is set to take effect on October 1. You can read the full text of the bill to the left.
'Since taking office as lieutenant governor seven years ago, we have worked hard to anticipate and meet the needs of the men and women who currently wear a uniform, those who have previously defended the U.S.A., and the family members who love and support them. Passing these bills creates jobs, grows our economy, and protects Alabama's military bases, but, more importantly, it fulfills what I believe is a moral obligation to support soldiers and service members of the past, present, and future.'
Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
35 minutes ago
- Forbes
Canva AI Tools Freelancers Can Use To Streamline Their Business
A focused young woman with curly hair, dressed in a yellow shirt, working intently on a laptop in a ... More brightly lit home office setting. Canva continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible as an online design studio. In April 2025, Canva unveiled "Visual Suite 2.0" - a slew of updates and features that push it past its creative content origins and into a full AI technology suite. Particular tools could change the game for freelancers who constantly navigate tight budgets, limited time, and multiple clients. This article will explore some of Canva's best AI tools and how they can help streamline freelancers' marketing and business admin. Not a fan of Excel spreadsheets? You are in luck. No more time wasted trying to figure out formulas. Canva Sheets makes spreadsheets more straightforward, user-friendly, and design-led, perfect for time-stretched freelancers. Whether you need to present data such as a monthly report, create a content calendar, present project timelines, or even house your own business accounts, Canva Sheets brings it all together in one platform. You can utilize existing templates or create a new one with the help of AI and use drag-and-drop components to suit your business needs. You can even import data or other existing information from Google Analytics, Microsoft Excel, and HubSpot. Within Canva Sheets is the AI-powered 'Magic Insights', which you can use for data analysis and trend spotting. When used together, you can present data and insights to your clients or stakeholders that are visually-appealing and consistently on-brand with your other marketing collateral. Data visualization is now accessible to everyone - even freelancers who have no experience in the sort. You can instantly turn your data into easy-to-digest and on-brand visualizations like pie charts, line graphs, and bar graphs. This tool can even suggest the best type of visualization for your data. Ready to convert your data from Canva Sheets into an eye-catching document that is easy for clients to understand? You can incorporate your newly made charts and graphs into a visually beautiful and on-brand document, such as an infographic or slide deck. Visual communication is essential for data-driven storytelling in business, so this tool is helpful for freelancers who don't count graphic design as a strength yet need to create documents that make an impact. Within Canva's Magic Studio are a wide variety of AI tools - such as Magic Resize to reformat documents, Magic Edit for photo editing, and Magic Animate to add motion to your designs. These can all help bring your imagery, videos, documents, case studies, digital products, and proposals to life, saving you hours of precious time. Finally, one of Canva's newest tools is Canva Code. It's an AI-powered solution for freelancers juggling design and development within their business and for those with little to no coding experience (which is many of us!). Canva Code makes it easier for freelancers to create a landing page, website, online portfolio, email templates, or even interactive tools like quizzes and calculators in less time than on traditional or separate platforms. In a digital world where speed, automation, and visual impact matter more than ever before, Canva offers freelancers a comprehensive range of AI tools. Whether you're creating reports, data visualizations, documents, or marketing materials, for yourself or your clients, Canva's AI tools empower freelancers to make strategic business moves through a more automated and streamlined workload.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
20 Start-ups Showcase at Hong Kong Tech Pavilion in VivaTech 2025
Presenting Cutting-Edge Solutions and Innovations and Fostering Global Collaborations through Seminars and Networking Events - The Hong Kong Trade Development Council will bring together 20 start-ups to participate in Viva Technology 2025 in Paris. - The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will showcase the cutting-edge solutions and innovations in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, HealthTech, Sustainable and ClimateTech, FinTech, and more. - A series of seminars, start-up pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception will enhance international cooperation and highlight Hong Kong's vibrant start-up and technology ecosystem. HONG KONG - June 3, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), in collaboration with Strategic Partner, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, and supporting organisations including Invest Hong Kong, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Hong Kong Cyberport, will stage the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at Viva Technology (VivaTech) 2025 in Paris, Europe's biggest start-up and tech event from 11 to 14 June 2025. The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will feature 20 start-ups, showcasing cutting-edge solutions and innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, HealthTech, Sustainable and ClimateTech, and FinTech, and host a series of seminars, start-up pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception to attract global investors and buyers, fostering international collaboration and showcasing Hong Kong's dynamic start-up and technology ecosystem. VivaTech connects start-ups, tech leaders, corporates, and investors to drive innovation and business collaboration. The HKTDC's Hong Kong Tech Pavilion helps local start-ups and tech firms enter global markets while promoting Hong Kong's unique advantages and reinforcing its status as a world-class innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Chris Lo, HKTDC's Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia & Israel, said: 'The HKTDC actively supports start-up development through a wide range of activities and support services to enhance their competitiveness and expand global reach. These include launching Hong Kong Tech Pavilions at major overseas tech events and organising events like the HKTDC Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) and Start-up Express in Hong Kong. This year's VivaTech focuses on AI, healthtech, climatetech, and sustainability, areas that align closely with the development of Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem. The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will provide a valuable platform for showcasing innovation, attracting investment, and expanding into the European market while raising international awareness of Hong Kong start-ups.' Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem is one of the most vibrant in Asia, with strengths in R&D capabilities, advanced technological infrastructure, robust legal system, and world-class intellectual property protection regime. As a business hub and international trading centre in Asia, Hong Kong provides a strategic platform for connecting innovation, expertise, and patents with global capital. Its strategic location within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) with access to over 86 million consumers, makes Hong Kong an ideal gateway to the entire GBA and also Asia and the world. During VivaTech, the HKTDC will host a series of events including seminars, pitching sessions, workshop and networking reception. On 11 June, the seminar Hong Kong: Fast-Growing Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub will feature speakers Josephine Chan, Senior Manager, New Ventures Development of HKSTP, Florian Lang, Founder and CEO APAC of Libertify, and Benny Cheng, Founder & CEO of Insight Capital, who will discuss the advantages and prospects of Hong Kong's start-up ecosystem. Hong Kong Start-ups Pitching to Global Investors On 12 June, start-ups at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion will also pitch their cutting-edge solutions and innovative products to global investors. Start-ups focus on AI, Robotics and FinTech, such as Pantheon Lab, which uses deep-learning technology to create software applications for developing quality and self-generated visual content, Robocore, a leading developer of applications for robotic platforms, and Midas Analytics, a data consulting company based on artificial intelligence and big data technologies, will present their groundbreaking innovations. Start-ups focusing on Health Tech, Sustainable & Climate Tech, such as Braillic, specialising in Augmented Reality (AR) guided surgical navigation system, HairCoSys, which developed a hair and scalp AI health diagnosis platform, and OKOsix, which developed world's first plastic-free multifunctional bio-based material, will showcase their innovations advancing human well-being and a more sustainable future. On 13 June, Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, will attend the Workshop and Networking Reception – From Hong Kong to the World: Embarking on the New Journey of Innovation and deliver a keynote speech. Cindy Chow, Executive Director & CEO of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, together with Sandbox VR, Orcauboat, and viAct, will share how Hong Kong start-ups succeed on an international stage. Yang Ming, CEO of Westwell Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited will share the advantages of choosing Hong Kong as springboard for global expansion. The followed panel discussion will be moderated by Christopher Lai, Director, France, Spain & Portugal of HKTDC. Cindy Chow, Chapman Lee, Director of Imsight Technology Co., Limited, Kenny Oktavius, Co-founder & CEO of Point Fit Technology Limited, and Jean-Baptiste Roy, Founding Partner of Asia Sports Tech, will explore the advantages of Hong Kong start-up ecosystem from both investor and start-up perspective and how to leverage Hong Kong's advantages to seize new opportunities. The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion is located at Hall 1 Booth F48, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. The 9th edition of VivaTech is expected to attract over 165,000 visitors, 3,500 exhibitors, 13,500 start-ups, and 3,200 investors. Industry leaders from around the world will share unique insights, making the event the highlight of the global tech ecosystem. List of 20 Start-ups at the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion: Photo download: Websites: Media enquiries For enquiries, please contact HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department: Media Room: About HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit:
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Zelensky Issues Warning to Europe Over Russia's Belarus 'Planning'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned about the threat posed by Belarus, whose autocratic leader, Alexander Lukashenko, is Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest ally. "Ask your intelligence what Russia is planning this summer in Belarus," Zelensky told reporters in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Monday. His comment follows the ruling regime in Minsk announcing that joint Zapad-2025 strategic military exercises with Russia will be held further inland in Belarus. Franak Viačorka, chief political adviser to Sviatlana Tsihanouskaya, who leads the Belarusian opposition to Lukashenko's authoritarian rule, told Newsweek on Tuesday that the drills include "hostile scenarios" against the West. Newsweek has contacted the Russian and Belarusian foreign ministries for comment. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 29, 2025, in Volgograd, Russia. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 29, 2025, in Volgograd, Russia. Getty Images Why It Matters Lukashenko has not directly joined Putin in the war against Ukraine but, as the Russian leader's closest ally, has permitted Moscow's forces to use Belarusian territory for attacks since 2022. Zelensky's warning will add to concerns that Putin's control of Lukashenko could see Belarus again used as a staging post for attacks on Ukraine, which would increase the risk to NATO's eastern border. What To Know Zelensky called on allies to seek intelligence on Minsk's plans during the Zapad joint military exercises scheduled for September. He said Monday that if Russia and Belarus are "bold enough to prepare attacks from there, then we need more strength together." Zelensky previously warned that Russian troop training in Belarus could mark "the beginning of a full-scale invasion, similar to the one we saw in 2022," posing risks to Ukraine and neighboring NATO states. Held every two years since 2009, no Zapad exercise took place in 2023. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin announced that September's exercises would be relocated further inland within Belarus to "reduce tensions." But the drills are seen by analysts and Ukrainian officials as potential cover for Russian troop deployments. Viačorka took part in Zapad drills as part of mandatory service a decade and a half ago in Lukashenko's army as punishment for his opposition political activities. He told Newsweek that the drills consisted of anti-Western and pro-Russian military training, including scenarios such as dropping a nuclear bomb over Warsaw. "These are hostile scenarios. They do it primarily to threaten. It's a part of psychological informational warfare," he said on Tuesday, adding that they pose a threat to Poland and Lithuania, as well as Ukraine. In 2023, Ukraine's foreign ministry raised the alarm over a build-up of Belarusian and Russian troops near Gomel, close to Ukraine's border. Since then, there have been other warnings from Ukraine's foreign ministry about the threat Belarus poses, such as in August 2024 that any border violation would prompt a self-defense response from Ukraine in line with the U.N. Charter. Putin and Lukashenko's alliance has deepened during the war. Analysts say Belarus is becoming Russia's "militarized satellite." The Institute for the Study of War said in December 2024 that the Kremlin is "advancing toward a de facto annexation of Belarus" with a defense pact and integration of military and economic systems. For Moscow, Belarus strengthens its position on NATO's eastern flank, with implications for U.S. and European security. What People Are Saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: "Ask your intelligence what Russia is planning this summer in Belarus. If they are bold enough to prepare attacks from there, then we need more strength together." Belarusian opposition politician Franak Viačorka told Newsweek: [Zapad will include] "tests of nuclear facilities, tests of possible escalation. This is a reminder to all Western politicians who still believe they can appease Lukashenko or Putin—it's impossible—you cannot change these guys." The Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry in August 2024: "Any violation of Ukraine's border by the regime in Minsk would provoke a self-defense response 'guaranteed by the U.N. Charter.'" The Institute for the Study of War in January 2025: [The Kremlin is] "advancing toward a de facto annexation of Belarus," presenting new threats to the West. What Happens Next NATO allies are increasing intelligence sharing ahead of Zapad 2025. Tarassis 25—a Joint Expeditionary Force Northern European exercise that will be the largest since the multinational force was established, will be held at the same time.
