If we say we stand up for veterans, then we must prove it, especially when harmful legislation threatens the very systems designed to support them. Georgia’s military community deserves protection, not policies that put them at risk. Yet one carried-over bill directly contradicts that promise: House Bill 108 (SAVE Act).

HB 108 is quietly advancing and could reach a Senate vote at any moment. But despite its title, this bill does not “save” anything. Instead, it weakens federal protections, undermines established safeguards, and allows unaccredited, unqualified individuals to insert themselves into the VA claims process, a process where accuracy, trust, and expert representation are essential.

If Georgia intends to stand up for veterans, HB 108 cannot advance as written.

A Quick Look at the Bill’s Path

• 02/26/2025 – Passed the House (158 Yea, 10 Nay, 4 No Vote, 8 Excused)
• 03/19/2025 – Senate Veterans, Military & Homeland Security Committee voted Favorably
  • No external testimony or public comment was allowed
• 03/21/2025 – Cleared Rules Committee; Read a Second Time in the Senate
• Current Status – Awaiting Senate Floor Consideration

Why Standing Up for Veterans Means Opposing HB 108

HB 108 claims to support veterans, but its real impact is the opposite. Without critical amendments, it would:

• Allow unaccredited claims agents, attorneys, and companies to charge veterans and service members for initial disability claims, even though federal law requires these services to remain free.
• Invite unqualified and unregulated actors into the VA claims process, drastically increasing the risk of denied claims, incorrect filings, or long-term damage to a veteran’s benefits.
• Break the trust veterans place in the system meant to assist them, replacing trained, accountable representation with anyone who decides to charge for these services.

Standing up for veterans means ensuring they receive competent, ethical, and federally compliant assistance, not permitting individuals with no training or oversight to profit from their service and vulnerability.

If We Truly Stand Up for Veterans, We Must Ask Ourselves:

Would we ever allow an untrained person to handle a veteran’s medical care
and call that “support?”

Of course not!

So why would we allow an unaccredited, untrained person to handle a veteran’s VA benefits claim - the very lifeline that determines their healthcare, income, education, and quality of life?

Accreditation Exists to Protect Veterans

Accredited representatives such as those from GDVS, VFW, American Legion, DAV, and other Congressionally chartered VSOs operate under federal training, federal oversight, and strict standards of conduct. This system was built to protect veterans from exploitation and ensure their claims are handled by professionals who are qualified, accountable, and acting in the veteran’s best interest.

HB 108 tears down those protections.

If we truly stand up for veterans, we cannot allow legislation that undermines the very safeguards designed to protect them.

Georgia Must Do Better

Georgia’s veterans, service members, and military families deserve more than symbolic support—they deserve action. They deserve leaders who stand up for them, not laws that expose them to risk.

Standing up for veterans means opposing HB 108.

Standing up for veterans means protecting federal safeguards.

Standing up for veterans means ensuring those who served receive the expert, ethical, and lawful support they earned.

Georgia can and must do better for those who stood up for all of us.

Share a Personal Story
If you have a personal story about dealing with unaccredited organizations or actors for your benefits claim, add your story to the top of this campaign's advocacy message. In addition, if you feel strongly about the importance of ensuring veterans do NOT go into debt to receive the benefits they EARNED, feel free to share that in the story box as well.