All Roll Calls
Yes: 220 • No: 5
TennesseeSB 0362114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47 and Title 58, relative to veteran benefits.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Veterans
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Fee limits protect veterans seeking benefits
Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee limits fees for covered help with federal or Tennessee veterans’ benefit claims. Payment includes money, things of value, or other economic benefits. Providers must have a written fee agreement before giving services. Fees must depend solely on an increase in awarded benefits, with total fees capped at five times the monthly increase. Initial fees, nonrefundable fees, and payments just for referrals are banned. For claims filed within one year of a veteran’s presumptive active-duty release period, paid help requires a signed waiver. The waiver must acknowledge that period and the veteran’s choice to forgo available free services. These rules apply to actions taken and agreements made on or after July 1, 2025. They exclude VA-accredited and VA-regulated representatives, Tennessee public or nonprofit colleges, and their employees advising within their jobs.
Stronger safeguards for veterans using claim helpers
Beginning July 1, 2025, covered veterans’ benefit helpers cannot guarantee claim success or any specific benefit or amount. Paid providers must give prospective clients a written notice at the outset, before a service agreement. It explains that the business is not sponsored by or affiliated with the VA, Tennessee veterans’ department, or federally chartered veterans’ organizations. It also explains that free help or other benefits may be available and that those organizations do not necessarily endorse its services. The notice must be conspicuous in the agreement, use at least 12-point type, and carry the client’s signature. Providers must keep it throughout the relationship and for at least one year afterward. Covered paid businesses cannot process veterans’ personal information through international call or data centers. They cannot use veterans’ login details to access medical, financial, or government-benefit information. Anyone accessing medical or financial information must first pass identity and criminal-history checks from a reputable source. These rules exclude VA-accredited and VA-regulated representatives, Tennessee public or nonprofit colleges, and their employees advising within their jobs. Violations trigger Tennessee consumer-protection penalties and remedies, in addition to other available penalties and remedies, and provide grounds for professional discipline. Each continuing day counts as a separate violation; collected penalties go to Tennessee’s general fund. The rules cover actions taken and agreements made on or after July 1, 2025.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Raumesh Akbari
Democrat • Senate
Janice Bowling
Republican • Senate
Todd Gardenhire
Republican • Senate
Tom Hatcher
Republican • Senate
Ed Jackson
Republican • Senate
Johnson
Affiliation unavailable
Becky D. Massey
Republican • Senate
Bo Watson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/7/2025
FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/7/2025
Yes: 92 • No: 1
House vote • 3/31/2025
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/31/2025
Yes: 89 • No: 3
Senate vote • 3/3/2025
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/3/2025
Yes: 30 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/25/2025
SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 07/01/2025
4/29/2025Pub. Ch. 223
4/29/2025Signed by Governor.
4/21/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
4/11/2025SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/10/2025HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/9/2025SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/8/2025SenatePassed H., Ayes 92, Nays 1, PNV 2
4/7/2025HouseAm. reconsidered, withdrawn.
4/7/2025HouseMotion to reconsider adopted.
4/7/2025HouseMotion to lift from table adopted.
4/7/2025HouseH. Placed on Message Calendar 4/7/2025
4/3/2025HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/3/2025SenateSenate refused to concur in amendment
4/3/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Message Calendar for 4/3/2025
4/1/2025SenatePassed H., as am., Ayes 89, Nays 3, PNV 1
3/31/2025HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0191)
3/31/2025HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
3/31/2025HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
3/6/2025HouseSponsor(s) Added.
3/3/2025SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
3/3/2025SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 1
3/3/2025SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0012)
3/3/2025SenateSponsor(s) Added.
2/27/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/3/2025
2/27/2025Senate
Bill Text
HA0191 (Substitute)
3/31/2025
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0012
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