SB 315 Virginia Senate · 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 HB 398.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was formally approved and assigned a chapter number (603) and a specific approval date (April 13, 2026), finalizing its enactment into law. The core legislative text regarding the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act remains unchanged, as the diff only reflects the transition from the enrolled version to the chaptered version.

Scope change

None; the substantive scope of the law is unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Added the specific chapter number (603) and the official approval date (April 13, 2026) to the header.

Removed the generic placeholders for the session year and the word 'Approved' without a date.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 23, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 24, 2026

How they voted

38–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 39

Jan 23, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% 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

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 603 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB315ER)

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House with substitute (91-Y 5-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (19-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (34-Y 4-N 0-A)

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from General Laws and Technology (11-Y 2-N 2-A)

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors