Assembly committee advances Archuleta bill to curb unaccredited firms charging veterans for VA claims

The California Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs voted to advance Senate Bill 694, sending the measure to the Judiciary Committee after a roll-call vote that recorded six ayes and several members not voting. The bill, presented by Senator Archuleta, would bar unaccredited claim representatives from soliciting or charging fees to assist veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits claims and would reinforce existing fee caps and consumer protections.

Senator Archuleta, the bill’s author, told the committee, “California veterans are too often targeted by unaccredited claim representatives offering to assist these veterans with their claims” and said the measure “requires VA accreditation in the field of veterans claims representatives.” He described instances in which companies charge fees he characterized as excessive and said the bill “does not prevent individuals from working in the profession of assisting veterans with VA benefits claims so long as they obtain a VA accreditation.”

The bill’s supporters and opponents framed the issue around consumer protection, access and choice. David West, veteran service officer for Nevada County and president of the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, said he strongly supported SB 694 and told the…