HB 398 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act; created, prohibited practices, penalties.

Summary

Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act; prohibited practices; penalties. Creates the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act to regulate the practices of persons seeking to receive compensation for preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter, as defined in the bill. The bill provides that a violation of its provisions constitutes a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. This bill is identical to SB 315.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill transitions from a draft legislative proposal to an officially enacted law. The substantive content of the 'Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act' remains identical, but the document now includes the official approval date (April 13, 2026) and the final chapter number (602) required for the code.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability are unchanged; it remains a consumer protection law regulating how businesses interact with veterans seeking benefits.

TECHNICAL

The document format changed from a draft bill to an enacted chapter, adding the official approval date and final chapter number.

The text was reformatted with adjusted spacing and line breaks to meet final publication standards for the Virginia Code.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 27, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 39

Feb 27, 2026

D Democratic20

18 Yea 2

90% Yea

R Republican19

18 Yea 1

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 602 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB398ER)

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from General Laws and Technology (14-Y 1-N)

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (88-Y 5-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Introduced

Engrossed by House as amended

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

committee amendments agreed to

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Appropriations (19-Y 3-N)

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

Assigned HAPP sub: General Government and Capital Outlay

lower

Feb 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors