[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6281854,"mediaKeyId","2601509-c3136b6864a2e59f6968edf67e22897d","parentId",2601509,"title","Votes at a glance: West Virginia Senate adopts resolutions, advances bills during March 12, 2025 session","audioSeconds",724,"startMs",1420000,"endMs",2144000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601509-c3136b6864a2e59f6968edf67e22897d&start=1420&end=2144","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601509-c3136b6864a2e59f6968edf67e22897d/thumbnail_1420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6281854/West-Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-West-Virginia-Senate-adopts-resolutions-advances-bills-during-March-12-2025-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281854-b2e10b789c4ddf04db216cb35a1794f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207393&Signature=nZvfL8gcROG3U99euEYFXxnE8zHbjftyjlppjisziJCNugHXR-Na1m7zMx830Na-A5MHM7CGS01k~tDV7cj1w-2LC1Ii9gUOhnLje1ZBaNpBz09LIigr0QTsc-e-of4pHhmEJVEk9~1LlpIsXZ9pRuQiKrQTmZ65mHKdrojZIS0HevpSsXsTd-HVzbfdSadZRsMec-pkXn0L-XNPsO6EsVc1VkUTIJ6cnAKYP5A0cHL2khrid9RpGHhSOj53PY6QLfKrN0EH4jPbBhK-tmcLfGMf90J12nLzFo8V2NWbta~VJrNjOMLYkJpwfmriWYgCr7jYPcG5dWRH08vmzTTx0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West Virginia Legislature","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on March 12 adopted multiple resolutions, passed two bills by recorded vote and advanced several others to later stages of consideration.

Highlights

- Senate Resolution 24 (Tucker County Day) was read and adopted by voice vote; the presiding officer declared the resolution adopted.

- Senate Resolution 25 (Wear Red Day) was read and adopted by voice vote.

- Senate Resolution 26 (National Canine Veterans Day) passed by recorded vote: 33 yeas, 1 nay, 0 absent; the presiding officer declared the resolution passed and ordered the clerk to record the result.

- Senate Resolution 27 (congratulating Taylor County Middle School football team) was adopted by voice vote.

- The Senate passed Engrossed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 658 (Veterans Empowerment and Trust Safeguard Act); the clerk announced a majority affirmative vote and the presiding officer declared the bill passed. (Transcript did not include a numeric roll-call for this passage.)

- Engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 2053, which adds the United States Space Force to the statutory definition of armed forces, passed by recorded vote: 33 yays, 1 nay, 0 absent; the clerk announced the tally and the presiding officer declared the bill passed and directed the clerk to notify the House.

- The Senate adopted an amendment offered to Senate Bill 712 (retirement provisions managed by CPRB). Senator Oliverio moved the floor amendment; the amendment was explained in lieu of reading and adopted and the bill was engrossed and advanced to third reading.

- The committee substitute for House Bill 2042 (allowing an attorney to request appointment of a court-appointed special advocate in child abuse and neglect proceedings) had a committee amendment explained and adopted; the bill was advanced to third reading.

Several other bills were introduced, read by title, or advanced under regular order. Committee reports were received and multiple bills were referred to committees under original double references, with some references later dispensed with by unanimous consent.

The Senate adjourned to reconvene the next day at 10 a.m.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate in Session Mar 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During its March 12, 2025 session the West Virginia Senate adopted several ceremonial resolutions, approved two measures with roll-call votes and advanced multiple bills including an omnibus retirement amendment and a child-protection amendment.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia","taxId",77714,"location","West Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6281859,"Senate passes Veterans Empowerment and Trust Safeguard Act limiting certain fees on benefits claims",130,1930000,2060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2601509-c3136b6864a2e59f6968edf67e22897d&start=1930&end=2060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2601509-c3136b6864a2e59f6968edf67e22897d/thumbnail_1930000.jpg","/articles/6281859/West-Virginia/Senate-passes-Veterans-Empowerment-and-Trust-Safeguard-Act-limiting-certain-fees-on-benefits-claims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281859-39371eb69e05530072c3f854a54ee8e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207393&Signature=QOhpSpML2IrwcpBsYbYdXy1DcZtQlm5Dl63jrlNtkm6wdZmWYRDoHeJKJm5LPSJVJhYr73JTSZvCDXPqr3ihZY9~ScKUxN8Na3zLfo~cm7HRNvmYc7iOb-JS6Z4ldD3yWEgNp336ZgYmUTRa8APkkhJ3kc5CT-rTGMW7LKpao4POYFvSOgMNcmxKgaRyZu0OKURwaWGeA7caUGmq5XN5P3MAEODXpmL7iBylCZLHWVVOYub9zdNRQllWmGf85LyPnaRJe9dSzN01WdYEdmI3UhQWs-mtPDS7D8ffYRGy89UMc8js0L4hD3vxNo9P1c-1XZRtfmlXhBOtP97TdTJQ0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate on March 12 passed the engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 658, creating the Veterans Empowerment and Trust Safeguard Act and prohibiting certain fees for services related to veterans benefits claims.

Senator from Brook, explaining the committee substitute on the Senate floor, said the measure “creates the Veterans Empowerment and Trust Safeguard Act, which prohibits the charging of certain fees, for services related to veterans benefits claims.” The sponsor told colleagues the measure adheres to federal law governing fee structures for filing veterans’ compensation claims.

The bill specifies that the state measure follows federal fee rules and does not apply to accredited individuals — including attorneys and accredited agents — or recognized veterans service organizations that currently file on behalf of veterans. As the Senate sponsor put it, the bill “does not prohibit a private entity from filing a claim on behalf of a veteran,” but such entities must comply with federal accreditation and fee rules before charging for those services.

Senior senator from the Thirteenth spoke in support and noted that Toby Haney, senior vice commander of the VFW, had brought the issue to lawmakers’ attention. “He asked that we pursue legislation like this to protect veterans while pursuing their benefits,” the senator said.

After floor discussion, the Senate conducted a roll-call/machine vote and the clerk announced the result was sufficient to pass the bill; the presiding officer declared the bill passed. The clerk was instructed to communicate the action to the House.

What the bill does and what it does not: sponsors said the measure prevents certain fee-taking practices for veterans benefits claims and aligns West Virginia law with federal rules for fee accreditation. The Senate record notes the bill does not prevent accredited representatives or veterans service organizations from assisting claimants and does not prohibit private entities from filing claims so long as they meet federal accreditation and fee requirements.

The bill will be transmitted to the House of Delegates for its consideration.

","On March 12, 2025, the West Virginia Senate passed the engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 658, titled the Veterans Empowerment and Trust Safeguard Act, prohibiting certain fee practices for services related to veterans benefits claims and aligning state rules with federal fee structure requirements.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: West Virginia Senate adopts resolutions, advances bills during March 12, 2025 session

Senate passes Veterans Empowerment and Trust Safeguard Act limiting certain fees on benefits claims