---
title: SB 73. "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act' or "SAVE Act"; enact
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/sb73
cite_as: SB 73, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb73
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb73.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb73/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69771
date: 2025-02-04
status: introduced
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: 95
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb73.md?full=1
bill_number: SB 73
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: Senate
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2025-02-03
last_action: Senate Read and Referred
sponsors:
- Chuck Payne
- Kay Kirkpatrick
- Ed Setzler
- Lee Anderson
- Steve Gooch
- Billy Hickman
- John Kennedy
- Chuck Hufstetler
- Shawn Still
- Timothy Bearden
- Ed Harbison
- Jason Esteves
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SB73/2025
upstream_id: 1952919
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- veterans benefits
- consumer protection
- fair business practices
- fees and disclosures
---
# SB 73. "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act' or "SAVE Act"; enact
## Text
Senate Bill 73
By: Senators Payne of the 54th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Setzler of the 37th, Anderson of the
24th, Gooch of the 51st and others
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 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 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 12 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 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) 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.
A Georgia Senate bill called the SAVE Act would set new rules for businesses that charge veterans for help filing claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, limiting fees and requiring written disclosures.
### Plain-language summary
Under current Georgia law, there is no specific rule in the Fair Business Practices Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-390 et seq.) governing companies that charge veterans to help them file benefits claims. This bill adds a new section, O.C.G.A. § 10-1-409, that regulates anyone who advises, assists, or consults with a veteran on a 'veterans' benefits matter' for pay.
The bill bans paid referrals between businesses handling veterans' claims, restricts charging veterans within the first year after they leave active duty unless the veteran signs a written waiver of free help, and caps success fees at five times the monthly increase in benefits a veteran receives. It also bans upfront or nonrefundable fees, bans guaranteeing outcomes, requires a specific written and spoken disclosure before signing an agreement, bans using foreign call centers or requesting a veteran's login credentials, and requires background checks for employees who access veterans' medical or financial data. Violations count as unfair or deceptive trade practices, with each day of violation treated separately. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.
### What it does
- Bans anyone from receiving payment for referring a veteran to another business or person for help with a veterans' benefits claim.
- Restricts charging a veteran within one year of leaving active duty unless the veteran signs a written waiver acknowledging free help is available.
- Caps compensation for helping a veteran with a benefits claim at five times the monthly increase in benefits awarded, and bans upfront or nonrefundable fees.
- Requires businesses to give veterans a specific written and spoken disclosure, in at least 12-point type, before signing a services agreement.
- Bans guaranteeing a veteran will receive a specific benefits outcome, and bans using overseas call centers or requesting a veteran's login credentials.
- Requires background checks for employees who access a veteran's medical or financial information, and makes violations an unfair or deceptive trade practice under Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act.
### Who it affects
Veterans and other people eligible for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Georgia Department of Veterans Service benefits, and any businesses, consultants, or individuals who charge fees to help them file or pursue benefits claims. It does not apply to attorneys or agents already accredited and regulated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
### Why it matters
Veterans seeking help with benefits claims would gain new fee limits, mandatory disclosures, and data-security protections when dealing with paid consultants, which could reduce predatory fees and referral schemes while still allowing paid assistance outside the newly restricted first year after service.
### Key provisions
- Section 1 gives the Act its short title, the 'Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act' or 'SAVE Act.'
- Section 2 adds new Code section 10-1-409 defining 'compensation,' 'person,' 'veteran,' and 'veterans' benefits matter.'
- Subsection (b) bans paid referrals between persons handling veterans' benefits matters.
- Subsection (c) restricts paid services within the one-year presumptive period after active duty release unless the veteran signs a written waiver.
- Subsection (d) requires a written fee agreement, caps compensation at five times the monthly benefit increase, and bans nonrefundable upfront fees.
- Subsection (g) requires a specific oral and written disclosure, in at least 12-point type, before a veteran signs a services agreement, kept on file for at least a year after the agreement ends.
- Subsection (h) and (i) ban overseas processing of veterans' data and requests for login credentials, and require background checks for employees accessing veterans' medical or financial information.
- Subsection (j) makes any violation an unfair or deceptive trade practice, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate violation; the law takes effect upon the Governor's signature.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2025-02-03)
- Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2025-02-04)
- Sponsors: Chuck Payne, Kay Kirkpatrick, Ed Setzler, Lee Anderson, Steve Gooch, Billy Hickman, John Kennedy, Chuck Hufstetler, Shawn Still, Timothy Bearden, Ed Harbison, Jason Esteves
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69771
> The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sb73.md?full=1