House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
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 Tue, Feb 3, 2026
Carly Choi, Revisor of Statutes, gave an overview of the bill (Attachment 1). She explained that the bill would enact the safeguarding American veteran empowerment (SAVE) act to limit compensation for assisting in veterans benefits matters.
David Kennedy, member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (Attachment 2), testified an an opponent to the bill. He explained that the bill would allow Claim Sharks to operate inside Kansas and take advantage of our veterans.
Mike Kelly, President, Kansas Council of Chapters, Military Officers Association of America (Attachment 3), testified an an opponent to the bill. He explained that this bill would authorize for-profit claims assistance services for veterans and survivors contrary to federal law.
George Pogge, member of Kansas American Legion (Attachment 4), testified as an opponent to the bill. He believes that it is both illegal and immoral to charge a veteran or receive compensation from a veteran for assistance in processing claims.
Jim Karleskint, member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (Attachment 5), 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.
The following provided written-only opponent testimony.
- Representative Dave Griffith, Missouri House of Representatives, District 60 (Attachment 6)
William Taylor, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Veterans Guarding VA Claim Consulting, LLC (Attachment 7) testified as a proponent to the bill. He explained that the bill would preserve a Veteran's fundamental right to choose how they pursue their own VA disability claim while implementing meaningful consumer protections.
Ray Colas, on behalf of Josh Smith, CEO and Co Founder, Veteran Benefits Guide (Attachment 8) testified as a proponent to the bill. He explained that this bill preserves freedom of choice, representation, and access to Veteran services, while making it harder for unscrupulous individuals to take advantage of Veterans and the benefits they have earned.
Johnnie Keller, member of Veterans Assistance Group (Attachment 9) testified as a proponent to the bill. He wants to see that any and every resource is available for veterans.
The following provided written-only proponent testimony.
- Troy Rolling, Frederick Douglas Foundation(Attachment 10)
- Paul Cockerham, Purple Heart Homes (Attachment 11)
- Jeff Joines, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Ways Employees (Attachment 12)
- Connie Jones, United Veterans Benefits Agency (Attachment 13)
- Brian Johnson, Veterans Guardian (Attachment 14)
Chairman closed the hearing on HB2214.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
