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Committee backs bill to bar for‑profit firms from charging veterans for initial VA claim assistance
Summary
The committee voted SB 694 to Appropriations after testimony from dozens of veterans, VSOs and some private firms. Supporters said the bill prevents predatory companies from taking large fees from veterans' retroactive benefits; opponents, including some veteran‑run firms, said regulation and accreditation are preferable to a broad ban.
Sen. Archuleta and Assemblymember Schiavo presented Senate Bill 694 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee and secured a referral to Appropriations after a lengthy hearing dominated by veterans' testimony.
SB 694 would align state law with federal rules and tighten penalties for unaccredited actors who prepare, present or prosecute VA benefit claims for a fee. Supporters described a for‑profit industry that targets veterans with fee arrangements that can reach thousands of dollars or a percentage of retroactive benefits; witnesses cited Federal Trade Commission estimates and VA consumer‑protection warnings. Jim Zenner, legislative director of the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO), said county…
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