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Bill would move hiring authority for Montana Veterans Affairs administrator to Adjutant General
Summary
House Bill 81 would shift hiring authority for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division administrator from the Board of Veterans Affairs to the Adjutant General, the bill sponsor told the Senate State Administration Committee.
Representative Marta Bertolio introduced House Bill 81, which would amend Montana Code Annotated provisions to allow the Adjutant General, director of the Department of Military Affairs, to be the hiring official for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division administrator rather than the Board of Veterans Affairs.
Major General J. Peter Ronek described the change as a targeted administrative alignment: “Currently the board does the hiring. However, the adjutant general conducts all other supervisory duties,” he said, adding that the Department of Military Affairs maintains a full human resources staff that conducts recruitment and selection for other DMA divisions. Supporters argued the move would streamline hiring and align supervisor responsibilities with day‑to‑day oversight.
A.C. Ackerman, identified in testimony as the current administrator of the Montana Veterans Affairs Division, and Roger Hagan, vice chair of the Montana Board of Veterans Affairs, both testified in favor. Ackerman said she works “with the Adjutant General daily with direct communication and support,” and Hagan told the committee the board voted to support the bill and noted the board is required by statute to meet at least three times per year, limiting its ability to provide frequent supervision.
Committee questions focused on whether the change reflected an anticipated personnel transition and how salary-setting and board oversight would be preserved. Ronek said the bill was intended as an administrative improvement rather than a response to an immediate personnel change, that the board would remain involved (for example, as panel members in selection), and that salary-setting follows the state HR process.
Representative Bertolio closed by urging the committee to concur. No committee vote or formal action is recorded in the hearing transcript.
Clarifying details: the bill was described as amending MCA 10‑2‑102 to make the Adjutant General the hiring official; witnesses cited MCA 2‑15‑1205 (subparagraph 7) requiring the Board of Veterans Affairs to meet at least three times annually.
