---
title: HB 108. Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act or SAVE Act; enact
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb108
cite_as: HB 108, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb108
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb108.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb108/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69460
date: 2026-03-25
status: engrossed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 681
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb108.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 108
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-02-26
last_action: Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
sponsors:
- Josh Bonner
- David Clark
- Brian Prince
- Charles Cannon
- Bill Hitchens
- Karen Mathiak
- Shawn Still
text_version: Comm Sub
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB108/2025
upstream_id: 1929057
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- veterans benefits
- consumer protection
- fair business practices
- veterans fraud
- Georgia Department of Veterans Service
---
# HB 108. Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act or SAVE Act; enact
## Text
The Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, and Homeland Security offered the
following substitute to HB 108:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," so as to provide certain
protections for veterans and other eligible persons applying for benefits; to provide for
limitations; to provide for violations; to provide for additional penalties; to provide for a
short title; to provide for definitions; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related
matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Safeguarding American Veteran
Empowerment Act" or "SAVE Act."
SECTION 2.
Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," is amended by adding a new Code
section to read as follows:
"10-1-409.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Compensation' means any money, thing of value, or economic benefit conferred on,
or received by, any person in return for services rendered, or to be rendered, by himself
or herself or another.
(2) 'Person' means any natural person, corporation, trust, partnership, incorporated or
unincorporated association, or any other legal entity.
(3) 'Veteran' means a former member of the United States armed forces or other eligible
person entitled to a benefit from the United States armed forces.
(4) 'Veterans' benefits matter' means the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any
claim affecting any person who has filed or expressed an intent to file a claim for any
benefit, program, service, commodity, function, status, or entitlement for which veterans,
their dependents, their survivors, or any other individual are eligible under the laws and
regulations administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the
Georgia Department of Veterans Service.
(b) No person shall receive compensation for referring any individual to another person
to advise or assist the individual with any veterans' benefits matter.
(c) No person shall receive any compensation for any services rendered to a veteran in
connection with any claim filed within the one-year presumptive period of active duty
release, unless prior to the inception of the services agreement, the veteran acknowledges
in writing that he or she is within such period yet chooses to decline free services available
to him or her through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the Georgia
Department of Veterans Service.
(d) A person seeking to receive compensation for advising, assisting, or consulting with
any individual in connection with any veterans' benefits matter shall, before rendering any
services, memorialize the specific terms under which the amount to be paid shall be
determined in a written agreement signed by both parties. Compensation shall be purely
contingent upon an increase in benefits awarded, and if successful, 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. No initial or nonrefundable fee shall be charged by a person
advising, assisting, or consulting an individual on a veterans' benefits matter.
(e) A person seeking to receive compensation for advising, assisting, or consulting with
any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter shall not utilize for a secondary
medical examination of the veteran a medical professional with whom such person has an
employment or business relationship.
(f) No person shall guarantee, either directly or impliedly, a successful outcome or that any
individual is certain to receive specific veterans' benefits or that any individual is certain
to receive a specific level, percentage, or amount of veterans' benefits.
(g) No person shall advise, assist, or consult for compensation with any veteran concerning
any veterans' benefits matter without clearly providing prior to entering into a services
agreement the following disclosure both orally and in writing:
'This business is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs or the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, or any other federally
chartered veterans' service organization. Other organizations, including but not limited
to the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, a local veterans' service organization, and
other federally chartered veterans' service organizations may be able to provide you with
this service free of charge. Products or services offered by this business are not
necessarily endorsed by any of these organizations. You may qualify for other veterans'
benefits beyond the benefits for which you are receiving services here.'
The written disclosure shall appear in at least 14 point type in an easily identifiable place
in the person's agreement with the veteran. The veteran shall verbally acknowledge
understanding of the oral disclosure and sign the document in which the written disclosure
appears to represent understanding of these provisions. The person offering services must
retain a copy of the written disclosure while providing veterans' benefits services for
compensation to the veteran for at least one year after the date on which the agreement
entered into by the parties terminates.
(h) Persons engaging in advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters for
a fee shall not:
(1) Utilize international call centers or data centers for processing veterans' personal
information; or
(2) Request a veteran's personal login, username, or password information or use such
information to access such veteran's medical, financial, or government benefits
information.
(i) Persons engaging in advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters for
a fee shall be accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for that
purpose and ensure that any employee of such person who has access to veterans' medical
or financial information undergoes a background check prior to having access to such
information. The background check shall be conducted by a reputable entity and include
identity verification and a criminal records check processes.
(j) A violation of the provisions of this Code section shall constitute a deceptive and unfair
act or practice in the conduct of trade or commerce under this part.
(k) Each day that a violation of this Code section continues shall constitute a separate
violation.
(l) In addition to the civil penalties described in Code Section 10-1-397, the Attorney
General shall, subject to notice and opportunity for hearing in accordance with Code
Section 10-1-398 unless the right to notice is waived by the person against whom the
sanction is imposed, issue an order against a person who willfully violates this Code
section imposing a civil penalty of no less than $10,000.00 per violation.
(m) Nothing in this Code section is to be construed as applying to, limiting, or expanding
the requirements imposed on agents, attorneys, or other representatives accredited by the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs and regulated by that agency."
SECTION 3.
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law
without such approval.
SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
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.
### Plain-language summary
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. ยง 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 it 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.
## Status
- Status: Engrossed (2025-02-26)
- Last action: Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (2026-03-25)
- Sponsors: Josh Bonner, David Clark, Brian Prince, Charles Cannon, Bill Hitchens, Karen Mathiak, Shawn Still
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69460
> The history, votes, and amendments (681 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb108.md?full=1