Arizona 2024 2024 Regular Session

Arizona Senate Bill SB1308 Comm Sub / Analysis

Filed 03/14/2024

                      	SB 1308 
Initials NM 	Page 1 Military Affairs & Public Safety 
 
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Fifty-sixth Legislature 
Second Regular Session 
Senate: MAPS DP 7-0-0-0 | 3
rd
 Read 16-12-0-2 
 
SB 1308: veterans' benefits; claims; prohibition 
Sponsor: Senator Rogers, LD 7 
Committee on Military Affairs & Public Safety 
Overview 
Establishes rules for consultation on veterans' benefits matters under the Arizona 
Department of Veterans Services (ADVS) or the United States Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA). 
History 
ADVS provides services to veterans through various means including: 1) the administration 
of professional benefits counselors located throughout the state; 2) operating skilled-nursing 
veterans' home facilities to provide short-term and long-term care; and 3) operating veterans' 
memorial cemeteries (A.R.S. § 41-603). 
Provisions 
1. Prohibits, generally, receiving compensation for advising, or referring to another for 
advice, on veterans' benefits matters unless specific conditions are met. (Sec. 1) 
2. Requires a written agreement before advising on veterans' benefits matters, detailing the 
terms and including a disclosure statement about non-affiliation with ADVS or the VA 
and the availability of free services from these and other veterans' organizations. (Sec. 1) 
3. Prohibits charging initial or nonrefundable fees. (Sec. 1) 
4. Requires compensation for veterans' benefits matters to be contingent on the veteran's 
benefits being increased. (Sec. 1) 
5. Limits compensation to no more than five times the increase in benefits obtained for the 
veteran. (Sec. 1) 
6. Prohibits a person who advises on veterans' benefits matters from:  
a) guaranteeing specific benefits outcomes;  
b) receiving excessive or unreasonable fees;  
c) advising within the one-year presumptive period of active-duty release unless the 
veteran first acknowledges in writing that he is within said one-year period;  
d) advertising without including specified disclosure language;  
e) using a medical professional with whom the advisor has a business relationship;  
f) using an international call or data center; or  
g) gaining direct access to a veteran's personal medical, financial or government benefits 
information. (Sec. 1) 
7. Classifies violation of this act as an unfair, false, misleading or deceptive act in the 
conduct of trade under Arizona law. (Sec. 1) 
8. Defines compensation, person and veterans' benefits matter. (Sec. 1) 
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes)     ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes)      ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note