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