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MississippiHB 10762026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act of 2026 (PLUS Act); create.

Sponsored By: Lester Carpenter (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Military AffairsVeterans and Military Affairs

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Capped fees for veterans’ claim help

Beginning July 1, 2026, paid helpers must use a signed written agreement before work. You only pay if they win you a benefits increase. Their fee is capped at the lesser of five times your monthly increase or $12,500. They cannot charge any upfront or nonrefundable fees. For claims filed within one year after leaving active duty, no one can be paid unless you sign a waiver choosing paid help over free services. No one can be paid a referral fee for sending you to a helper.

Privacy and disclosure rules for veterans' paid help

Starting July 1, 2026, paid helpers must give you a written notice at the start. It must say they are not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the State Veterans Affairs Board and that free help may be available. It must be in at least 12-point type, be signed by you, and be kept on file for one year after services end. They cannot use your login, username, or password to access your medical, financial, or benefits accounts. Anyone who will access your sensitive information must first pass a background check with identity verification and a criminal records check. They also cannot promise a specific result or benefit amount.

Stronger enforcement, but VA-accredited exempt

Starting July 1, 2026, breaking these rules is an unfair or deceptive act under state law. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate violation. These state rules do not apply to agents, attorneys, or representatives accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; they follow federal VA accreditation rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lester Carpenter

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Rodney Hall

    Republican • House

  • Hulum

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Gene Newman

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 463 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 52 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 120 • No: 0

House vote • 3/9/2026

Concurred in Amend From Senate

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/4/2026

Passed

Yes: 122 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/8/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026House

  4. Conference Report Adopted

    3/31/2026Senate

  5. Conference Report Adopted

    3/31/2026House

  6. Conference Report Filed

    3/30/2026House

  7. Conference Report Filed

    3/30/2026Senate

  8. Recommitted For Further Conf

    3/26/2026Senate

  9. Recommitted For Further Conf

    3/26/2026House

  10. Conference Report Filed

    3/25/2026House

  11. Conference Report Filed

    3/25/2026Senate

  12. Conferees Named Tate,Mumford,Thompson

    3/18/2026Senate

  13. Conferees Named Carpenter,Hall,Gibbs (36th)

    3/12/2026House

  14. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/11/2026House

  15. Reconsidered

    3/11/2026House

  16. Motion to Reconsider Entered (Carpenter, Hall)

    3/10/2026House

  17. Concurred in Amend From Senate

    3/9/2026House

  18. Returned For Concurrence

    3/4/2026Senate

  19. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    3/4/2026Senate

  20. Motion to Reconsider Entered

    2/27/2026Senate

  21. Passed As Amended

    2/26/2026Senate

  22. Amended

    2/26/2026Senate

  23. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    2/19/2026Senate

  24. Referred To Veterans and Military Affairs

    2/16/2026Senate

  25. Transmitted To Senate

    2/5/2026House

Bill Text

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