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Committee hears testimony on bill to limit paid veterans-claims assistance; sponsors plan amendments
Summary
Senate Bill 150 would restrict paid preparation or advising for veterans benefits claims and require written fee agreements; private companies and some veterans said the bill as drafted curtails legitimate options and asked for guardrails rather than a ban. The committee will hold a work session to consider amendments.
Senate Bill 150, which the committee heard Feb. 27, would prohibit acceptance of compensation for preparing or advising on veterans benefits applications or appeals without specified written agreements and would bar guarantees that benefits will be received. The measure applies the prohibitions to services that a claimant could receive free from the Department of Veterans Affairs or an entity the VA has delegated authority to, and it makes violations unlawful. The bill would take effect 91 days after signing.
Committee members and legal counsel signaled support for protecting veterans from predatory actors but said the draft requires technical fixes and narrower scope so it does not remove legitimate options. Chair Manning said…
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