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AlabamaSB2062025 Regular SessionSenate

Veterans benefits; parameters imposed on businesses advising clients on making claims for benefits; violations a deceptive trade practice

Sponsored By: Josh Carnley (Republican)

Enacted

Military

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Clearer fees for veterans claims help

Beginning October 1, 2025, covered paid veterans benefits helpers and clients must sign all payment terms before services begin. Helpers must give spoken and written notices explaining they are not sponsored by or affiliated with federal or Alabama veterans agencies or federally chartered veterans service organizations. The notices must explain that these groups do not necessarily endorse the services and clients may qualify for other benefits. They must also identify possible free help from Alabama’s veterans department, local county veterans service agencies, and federally chartered veterans organizations. Written notices must be easy to find in the fee agreement and use at least 12-point type. Clients must say they understand the spoken notice and sign the written notice. Helpers must keep the notice during services and for at least one year after the relationship ends. All ads for paid help must carry the required disclosure, clearly visible in print and online or clearly spoken.

New safeguards for veterans claims help

Beginning October 1, 2025, Alabama requires agents handling veterans benefits claims to have U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation. The law covers federal and Alabama veterans benefits matters, including claims for eligible dependents and survivors. Covered providers cannot guarantee specific benefits, levels, percentages, or amounts, or charge excessive or unreasonable fees. The law sets no dollar fee cap and bans receiving money or other value for referrals to benefits advisers. Violations count as violations of Alabama’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act. However, federally accredited attorneys under 38 C.F.R. § 14.629 are exempt from this law, limiting these state protections.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Josh Carnley

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 315 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/14/2025

Carnley Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1051

Yes: 30 • No: 0

House vote • 5/7/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1205

Yes: 103 • No: 0

House vote • 5/7/2025

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1204

Yes: 101 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 662

Yes: 27 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Carnley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 661

Yes: 27 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 27 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    5/22/2025Senate

  2. Carnley Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1051

    5/14/2025Senate

  3. Ready to Enroll

    5/14/2025Senate

  4. Enrolled

    5/14/2025Senate

  5. Signature Requested

    5/14/2025House

  6. Delivered to Governor

    5/14/2025Senate

  7. Military and Veterans' Affairs Engrossed Substitute Offered

    5/7/2025House

  8. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1204

    5/7/2025House

  9. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1205

    5/7/2025House

  10. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    4/17/2025House

  11. Military and Veterans' Affairs 1st Amendment

    4/16/2025House

  12. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    4/16/2025House

  13. Third Reading in House of Origin

    4/10/2025Senate

  14. Carnley 1st Amendment Offered

    4/10/2025Senate

  15. Carnley motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 661

    4/10/2025Senate

  16. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 662

    4/10/2025Senate

  17. Engrossed

    4/10/2025Senate

  18. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs

    4/10/2025House

  19. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    4/10/2025House

  20. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    3/5/2025Senate

  21. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/5/2025Senate

  22. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety

    2/27/2025Senate

  23. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    2/27/2025Senate

Bill Text

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