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Minutes for HB2214 - Committee on Veterans and Military
Short Title
Enacting the safeguarding American veteran empowerment (SAVE) act to limit compensation for assisting in veterans benefits matters.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 6, 2025
Revisor Carly Choi, Office of Revisor Statutes,(Attachment 14) explained the bill. She explained the bill would enact the safeguarding American veteran empowerment (SAVE) act to limit compensation for assisting in veterans benefits matters.
Peter O'Rourke, National Association for Veteran Rights (Attachment 15) testified as a proponent to the bill. He explained that this bill would address the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and safeguards to protect our Veterans from predatory practices and ensure that those serving them meet the highest standards of integrity.
Bill Taylor, Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting LLC (Attachment 16) testified as a proponent to the bill. He explained that the bill would preserve the rights of a veteran to choose how they pursue their own US Department of Veterans' Affairs disability claim and address the full spectrum of the issues at hand.
Ray Colas, Veterans Benefit Guide,(Attachment 17) testified as a proponent, He explained that the bill provides a path for honarable companies like Veterans Benefits Guide to continue serving veterans while addressing concerns with predatory practices which proliferate within the industry.
The following people provided written proponent testimony;
- Shawn Deadwiler, Black Veterans Empowerment Council Inc (Attachment 18)
- Paul Cockerham, Purple Heart Homes(Attachment 19)
- Jeff Joines, DIrector of Government Affairs (Attachment 20)
- Erica W. US Army Specialist, (Attachment 21)
- Connie Jones, United Veteran Benefits Agency LLC (Attachment 22)
- Brian Johnson, Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting LLC (Attachment 23)
Mike Kelly, Military Officers Association of America, (Attachment 24) testified as an opponent. He explained that Kansas provides appropriated funds to operate the Kansas Office of Veterans Services and funds the Veterans Claim Assistance Program, currently through the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. These organizations are not for profit entities.
Jim Karleskint, Veterans of Foreign War,(Attachment 25) testified as an opponent to the bill. He explained that this bill does not help protect the veterans of Kansas from being taken advantage of by unethical and unprofessional claim predators.
David Kennedy, VFW Service Officer, (Attachment 26) testified as an opponent to the bill. He explained that he has been approved by the VA's Office of General Counsel and as an accredited agent he agrees to follow the Standards of Conduct established by the Veterans Administration.
Representative Thompson closed HB2214.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:32
