House Bill 81 would amend Montana Code Annotated 10-2-102 to make the Adjutant General (head of the Department of Military Affairs) the hiring official and direct supervisor for the Montana Veterans Affairs Division administrator, instead of the Board of Veterans Affairs.

Representative Marta Bertoglio introduced the bill at the Department of Military Affairs’ request, saying the change reflects current supervisory practice and would align hiring with the department’s existing human resources capacity. "Currently, the board does the hiring. However, the adjutant general conducts all supervisory duties," Major General J. Peter Hronek told the committee. He said the Adjutant General already performs day-to-day supervisory functions including performance reviews and goal setting and that the department has an HR team to manage recruitment and selection duties.

Montana Veterans Affairs Division Administrator Kelly Ackerman testified she works daily with the Adjutant General and supported the change because it enables consistent, day-to-day supervision and clearer personnel management while maintaining the board’s oversight role. Roger Hagan (vice chairman of the Veterans Affairs Board) said the board voted to support the bill and expects continued board involvement—board members would sit on hiring panels and provide input on appraisals.

Other veterans’ organizations, the American Legion, and board members offered support. Informational witnesses from DMA, including Brig. Gen. Renee Dorval, stood by for questions. Committee members asked no substantive follow-ups and the sponsor closed asking for a do-pass recommendation.

If enacted, HB 81 would leave the board in an advisory and oversight role but make the Adjutant General the official hiring and supervisory authority, which proponents said will streamline operations and provide HR capacity for timely recruitment and personnel management.