Georgia CommonsHouse · Engrossed · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 108: Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act or SAVE Act; enact
Last action March 25, 2026 · Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
The SAVE Act would set new rules under Georgia's consumer protection law for anyone who charges veterans for help with VA or state veterans' benefits claims, capping fees and requiring written disclosures.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Comm Sub version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
Georgia veterans seeking help filing claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Georgia Department of Veterans Service currently have limited state-level protections against companies that charge them for assistance. This bill adds a new section to Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act of 1975 (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-409) aimed at people and businesses who charge veterans for help with benefits claims. The bill bans referral fees, limits when someone can charge a veteran within the first year after leaving active duty, requires a written fee agreement before services begin, and caps compensation at five times the monthly benefit increase (up to $12,500). It bans upfront fees, requires a specific written and spoken disclosure statement, restricts use of overseas call centers for veterans' data, and requires background checks and VA accreditation for anyone charging for this help. Violations count as unfair trade practices, and the Attorney General can fine violators at least $10,000 per violation. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.
What the bill does
- Bans anyone from being paid to refer a veteran to another person for help with a veterans' benefits claim.
- Restricts charging veterans within one year of leaving active duty unless they sign a written waiver of free available services.
- Requires a written fee agreement before services start and caps pay at five times the monthly benefit increase, up to $12,500, with no upfront or nonrefundable fees allowed.
- Requires a specific spoken and written disclosure statement, in at least 14-point type, telling veterans the business is not affiliated with the VA or Georgia Department of Veterans Service.
- Bans use of overseas call centers for veterans' personal data and requires VA accreditation plus background checks for staff handling veterans' medical or financial information.
- Makes violations an unfair trade practice under Georgia consumer law, with fines of at least $10,000 per violation and each day of a violation counted separately.
Who it affects
Georgia veterans and other eligible people applying for VA or state veterans' benefits, along with any businesses, consultants, or individuals who charge for help preparing or filing those claims. VA-accredited agents, attorneys, and representatives already regulated by the federal VA are explicitly excluded from these new state requirements.
Why it matters
Veterans navigating benefits claims would gain specific protections against high fees, misleading guarantees, and data misuse by paid consultants, while businesses that charge for this help would face new disclosure duties, fee caps, and potential fines starting as soon as the Governor signs the bill.
Key provisions
- Section 1 names the bill the 'Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act' or 'SAVE Act.'
- Section 2 adds new Code Section 10-1-409 defining key terms including 'compensation,' 'veteran,' and 'veterans' benefits matter.'
- Subsection (b) bans compensation for referring individuals to another person for help with a veterans' benefits matter.
- Subsection (c) restricts paid claims filed within one year of active duty release unless the veteran signs a written waiver of free services.
- Subsection (d) requires a written fee agreement and caps compensation at five times the monthly benefit increase, capped at $12,500, with no upfront fees.
- Subsection (g) mandates a specific oral and written disclosure statement in at least 14-point type before any paid services agreement.
- Subsections (h) and (i) prohibit overseas data processing and require VA accreditation and background checks for anyone handling veterans' sensitive information.
- Subsections (j) through (l) make violations unfair trade practices, with a minimum $10,000 civil penalty per violation and each day counted separately; Section 3 sets the effective date upon the Governor's signature.
From the bill
“No person shall receive compensation for referring any individual to another person to advise or assist the individual with any veterans' benefits matter.”
“compensation shall not exceed five times the amount of the monthly increase not to exceed $12,500.00 in benefits awarded based on the claim”
“Each day that a violation of this Code section continues shall constitute a separate violation.”
Discussed in meetings (2)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
Senate Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security Committee, March 24, 2026
From 0:18:41 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor presented a substitute regulating paid veterans’ benefits consultants, adding a $12,500 fee cap, 14-point contract disclosures and $10,000 penalties per violation. The sponsor said contracts would disclose free alternatives and fees would apply only to benefit increases, not back pay. Asked about successive disability-rating increases, the sponsor said separate contracts could cover later gains. Supporting members said consultants offer veterans another option when free assistance does not produce results. One member described a staff member facing attorney fees exceeding $25,000. Another member opposed the bill over accreditation and legal concerns, citing opposition from veterans’ organizations. The sponsor distinguished consultants helping assemble applications from accredited representatives acting for veterans. A VFW chief of staff said federal law requires accreditation and urged adding it. A second VFW witness said accreditation protects vulnerable veterans. A Georgia Military Women witness welcomed fee limits but opposed the bill, favoring free providers offering broader support. A visiting House member said the fees remained too high and urged more state staffing. A member proposed requiring VA accreditation. Supporters said it would address federal-law concerns; opponents said it would undermine the bill’s consulting model. The amendment passed 6-4, and the amended committee substitute passed 8-1.
Status timeline
- Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
- Senate Recommitted (Senate)
- Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
- Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- House Passed/Adopted (House)
- House Third Readers (House)
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
Show full history (11 actions)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Josh Bonner (R, HD-73)
- David Clark (R, HD-100)
- Brian Prince (D, HD-132)
- Chas Cannon (R, HD-172)
- Bill Hitchens (R, HD-161)
- Karen Mathiak (R, HD-82)
- Shawn Still (R, SD-48)
Votes
- House voteFebruary 26, 2025
158 yea, 10 nay (4 not voting, 8 excused)
Topics
- veterans benefits
- consumer protection
- fair business practices
- veterans fraud
- Georgia Department of Veterans Service