In a defining moment for veteran advocacy in Georgia, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Georgia (Georgia VFW) has taken point in coordinating, drafting, and delivering a unified, statewide statement opposing Georgia House Bill 108, the so-called “SAVE Act” – Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act. Working in close collaboration with fourteen other organizations, Georgia VFW led a consortium effort to protect veterans, service members, and their families from legislation that would weaken long-standing federal protections and open the door for unaccredited claims agents to engage in activities that many consider predatory.
This unprecedented collaboration marks one of the strongest unified responses from Georgia’s veteran community in recent memory. The signing organizations, representing hundreds of thousands of service-connected experiences and thousands of hours of accredited claims expertise, agreed that Georgia HB 108, in its current form, poses a serious threat to the well-being of Georgia’s 700,000+ veterans and their dependents.
A Clear and Present Threat to Veteran Protections
At the center of the cross-organizational concern is this bill’s attempt to allow unaccredited claims agents to participate in the preparation, presentation, and pursuit of federal VA disability claims, a practice that is already illegal under federal law. Title 38 of the U.S. Code, Section 5901, strictly prohibits unaccredited individuals and entities from charging for or profiting from VA claims work. Accreditation is not a formality; it is a quality-control safeguard that is specifically designed to protect veterans from fraud, misinformation, and exploitation.
For veterans navigating the VA system, a mislabeled document, an incorrect piece of advice, or a missed deadline can cost them months, even years, of benefits. Georgia HB 108, the collective argued, not only disregards existing federal statute but creates an enforcement gray area, leaving the door wide open for bad actors and predatory “claims sharks” to take advantage of Georgia’s veterans.
In the official Georgia VFW press release published earlier today, State Commander Bill Miles exclaimed, “The VFW Department of Georgia strongly supports efforts to protect our veterans, but we cannot support legislation that does not hold bad actors accountable. Georgia’s veterans deserve laws with teeth, laws that ensure only accredited, trained, and accountable representatives handle benefit claims on their behalf.”
Georgia VFW recognized early that this issue required more than formal opposition; it required leadership, coordination, and urgency.
What Georgia HB 108 Does, and Why it Matters
Georgia House Bill 108 seeks to authorize unaccredited individuals and entities to assist veterans with the preparation, presentation, and pursuit of federal VA disability claims. Although the bill is framed as expanding access, it conflicts directly with long-standing federal law under 38 U.S.C. § 5901, which strictly limits claims assistance to accredited representatives, attorneys, and recognized Veteran Service Organizations. Accreditation is not a bureaucratic hurdle; it exists to protect veterans through required training, accountability, and ethical oversight.
Allowing unaccredited actors to engage in claims work introduces significant risks, including incorrect advice, unauthorized fees, improper filings, and various concerning, predatory practices that have harmed veterans in other states. A single error in the VA claims process can delay or jeopardize benefits for months or even years. Georgia House Bill 108 would create confusion about who is legally permitted to assist with VA claims, weaken critical federal safeguards, and expose Georgia’s veterans and their families to avoidable harm.
For a deeper breakdown of the bill, its federal conflicts, and real-world risks posed by unaccredited claims activity, readers can visit the Georgia VFW’s informational page about Georgia HB 108 on GeorgiaVFW.org.
Georgia VFW Takes Point
From the moment that Georgia HB 108 re-entered the legislative conversation, the Georgia VFW acted swiftly. State Commander Bill Miles and the Department’s leadership team mobilized internal and external networks, reached out to partner organizations, and began building a shared, coordinated stance.
The Department’s staff, officers, and volunteer leaders conducted multiple rounds of draft revisions, aligning language with federal law, shared concerns, and best practices for protecting veterans’ claims rights. Their coordinated effort ensured that the unified statement ultimately reflected the voices of many, not just one organization.
Throughout the process, the Georgia VFW served as the principal drafter, primary convener, and coordinating hub for the unified letter. This effort showcased the organization’s longstanding commitment to effective advocacy, not just within its own membership, but on behalf of the entire Georgia veteran community.
Fifteen Organizations, One Message
The final joint statement was signed by 15 leading organizations, representing a broad spectrum of the Georgia veteran ecosystem, including Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), auxiliaries, Community Veteran Engagement Boards (CVEBs) community advocacy groups, military family support networks, veteran-focused nonprofits, and thought leaders in the space. As it stands today, additional organizations are looking to lean into the foxhole and strengthen those collaboration and synergistic opportunities.
As conversations deepened and joint efforts took shape, the group quickly recognized the significant challenges facing Georgia’s veterans, service members, families, and caregivers. The importance of strategic coordination and clear communication among these organizations became unmistakable. Emerging as Georgia Veterans on the Hill, this think tank reflects the strength, diversity, and collective voice of Georgia’s veteran community. While the participating organizations may not always align on every legislative priority or policy strategy, they consistently come together to discuss the most pressing issues, those that most directly impact the men and women who currently wear or have worn our nation’s uniform.
Hyper-focused on ensuring veterans are not at great risk to be preyed upon, these leading organizations stand united against the current language of Georgia House Bill 108. Together, the 15 organizations issued a singular message to Georgia lawmakers:
Georgia HB 108 is harmful, unnecessary, and in direct conflict with federal law, and it must not pass without significant, corrective amendments.
Their statement emphasized three core points:
- Federal law already prohibits unaccredited claims services. Georgia HB 108 risks confusing veterans and diluting federal protections.
- Veterans deserve accredited, ethical, and accountable assistance. The VA accreditation system exists to shield veterans from predatory actors.
- Any state legislation affecting VA claims must reinforce, not undermine, federal safeguards.
The signatories urged Georgia legislators to revisit, amend, or halt Georgia HB 108 to ensure the state does not inadvertently enable unlawful or unethical conduct.
Why This Joint Statement Matters
Historically, unified letters of this magnitude take months of coordination, multiple drafting cycles, and no shortage of delays. In contrast, the development of this statement was exceptionally focused and purpose-driven. Fueled by the urgency surrounding this legislation and the commitment of every organization involved, the letter was drafted, finalized, and signed rapidly, allowing it to be hand-delivered to Governor Kemp immediately following this year’s Veterans Day ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol on Thursday, November 6, 2025, and electronically distributed to Lt. Governor Burt Jones, all current State Representatives, and all current State Senators shortly thereafter.
This level of collaboration reflects the strength and readiness of Georgia’s veteran advocacy community when a critical issue arises. It also highlights a growing expectation among veteran organizations: policies affecting those who served must be shaped with the insight of accredited veteran experts, not in their absence.
The joint statement has significant implications:
- It signals a refusal to allow Georgia legislation to undercut federal protections for veterans.
- It sends a strong message to lawmakers that the veteran community is highly organized, deeply informed, and willing to mobilize quickly.
- It elevates awareness among veterans, legislators, and community leaders about the threat posed by unaccredited “claims sharks.”
- It demonstrates veteran-led collaboration at its finest, unified, strategic, and mission-focused.
A Model for Future Advocacy
The process behind this letter may prove just as important as the letter itself. The Georgia VFW’s leadership revealed how effective veteran advocacy can be when organizations lock arms instead of purely working independently.
This collaborative framework of open communication, shared research, unified messaging, and fast turnaround sets a new standard.
It shows:
- What veteran organizations can accomplish when they collaborate early.
- How unified messaging strengthens credibility and influence.
- That veteran coalitions can and should be proactive, not reactive, on legislative issues.
Through this effort, the Georgia VFW has positioned itself as a leader not only in veteran support and community engagement, but also in high-level policy advocacy. While this process has enjoyed many monumental milestones, all stakeholders understand that the battle ahead, especially from bad actors looking for any chance to take advantage of our nation’s veterans, will be challenging.
Delivering the Statement to Georgia’s Leaders
The signed joint letter in opposition to Georgia House Bill 108 was delivered to:
- Governor Brian Kemp
- Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones
- Legislative leaders in both chambers
- The Senate Committee on Veterans, Military, & Homeland Security
- The Georgia Department of Veterans Service
Copies were shared widely across the 15 organizations’ networks, ensuring that veterans and community supporters understood the gravity of the issue and how to get involved.
The unified statement is now part of the official public record and will remain central to ongoing advocacy efforts as the legislative session progresses.
Standing Together for Georgia’s Veterans
While Georgia HB 108 remains a pressing concern, the response to it has already created something powerful: a renewed sense of unity among Georgia’s veteran community.
The Georgia VFW took the lead, not for recognition, but because the mission required it. And fourteen other organizations stood shoulder to shoulder, reinforcing a simple, unwavering truth:
When the well-being of veterans is on the line, Georgia’s veteran advocates stand as one.
As the legislative process continues, Georgia VFW and its partner organizations remain committed to protecting veterans against predatory practices, strengthening federal and state alignment, and ensuring that no legislation undermines the benefits our nation’s heroes have earned.
This united front is more than a moment; it is a message. And that message is clear: Georgia’s veterans deserve nothing less than full protection, full integrity, and full accountability in every law that bears their name.
State Chief of Staff – VFW Department of Georgia
Marketing & Outreach – VFW Department of Georgia