CS/CS/HB 277: Veterans' Benefits Assistance
GENERAL BILL by State Affairs Committee ; Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee ; Albert ; Alvarez, D. ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Bartleman ; Benarroch ; Blanco ; Chambliss ; Dunkley ; Joseph ; Mooney ; Partington ; Salzman ; Valdés
Veterans' Benefits Assistance; Prohibits person from receiving compensation for referring individual to another person for advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters; authorizes compensation for services rendered during specified period only; requires that persons who advise, assist, or consult on veterans' benefits matters for compensation provide specified disclosures before entering into business relationship with client; prohibits providers who advise, assist, or consult on veterans' benefits matters from charging certain fees; prohibits charging of interest on payment plans; provides requirements in event of death of veteran claimant; provides security requirements for handling of veteran's personal & account information; requires provider to successfully complete specified background screening; provides that violation is deceptive & unfair trade practice which may be subject to specified penalties.
Last Action: 4/29/2025 House - Laid on Table, refer to CS/CS/SB 910
Bill Text: PDF
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Bill History
Date Chamber Action 1/28/2025 House • Filed
2/6/2025 House • Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
• Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
• Referred to State Affairs Committee
• Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
3/4/2025 House • 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
3/17/2025 House • Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
3/19/2025 House • Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
3/21/2025 House • Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
• Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
• CS Filed
3/24/2025 House • Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
• Referred to State Affairs Committee
• Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
• 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
• Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda
3/26/2025 House • Favorable by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
• Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
• Now in State Affairs Committee
4/4/2025 House • Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
4/8/2025 House • Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee
• Reported out of State Affairs Committee
• Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
• CS Filed
4/9/2025 House • Bill referred to House Calendar
• 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
• Added to Second Reading Calendar
4/10/2025 House • Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/16/2025)
4/16/2025 House • Temporarily postponed, on 2nd Reading
• Added to Second Reading Calendar
4/29/2025 House • Laid on Table, refer to CS/CS/SB 910
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CS/CS/HB 277, Committee Substitute 2 (Current Bill Version) Posted 4/8/2025 at 4:02 PM
Bill Text: PDF Analyses: None Related Bills (1)
Bill Number Subject Filed By Relationship Last Action and Location Track Bills S 910 (er) Veterans’ Benefits Assistance Collins Identical Last Action: 4/29/2025 S Ordered enrolled 
Citations - Statutes (2)
Citation Catchline Location in Bill Location In Bill Help 435.02 Definitions. Page 2 (pdf) 501.9741 Page 3 (pdf) -
CS/HB 277, Committee Substitute 1 Posted 3/21/2025 at 12:06 PM
Bill Text: PDF Analyses: Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) 3/26/2025 (pdf)
State Affairs Committee (Post-Meeting) 4/8/2025 (pdf)
Related Bills (1)
Bill Number Subject Filed By Relationship Last Action and Location Track Bills S 910 (c1) Veterans’ Benefits Assistance Collins Similar Last Action: 4/29/2025 S Ordered enrolled
Committee Amendments (1)
Amendment Sponsor Filed Last Committee Action Format 318581 - Amendment
Remove lines 40-147 and insert:Albert 4/7/2025
4:12 PMAdopted
4/8/2025PDF Citations - Statutes (1)
Citation Catchline Location in Bill Location In Bill Help 501.9741 Page 2 (pdf) -
HB 277, Original Filed Version Posted 1/28/2025 at 11:21 AM
Bill Text: PDF Analyses: Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) 3/21/2025 (pdf)
Related Bills (1)
Bill Number Subject Filed By Relationship Last Action and Location Track Bills S 910 (c1) Veterans’ Benefits Assistance Collins Similar Last Action: 4/29/2025 S Ordered enrolled
Committee Amendments (2)
Amendment Sponsor Filed Last Committee Action Format 694463 - Amendment
Remove lines 36-131 and insert:Albert 3/18/2025
2:11 PMPDF 
721809 - Substitute Amendment (694463)
Remove lines 36-131 and insert:Albert 3/18/2025
5:06 PMAdopted without Objection
3/19/2025PDF Citations - Statutes (1)
Citation Catchline Location in Bill Location In Bill Help 501.9741 Page 2 (pdf)