The House Veterans and Military Affairs Committee reported a bill 8-0 that would establish parameters for third‑party organizations that provide paid assistance to veterans seeking disability determinations, Representative Duell said when presenting the bill.

Representative Duell described the bill’s objective as setting standards for organizations that help veterans determine disability eligibility. An amendment filed the morning of the hearing, submitted by Representative Hildebrandt, would have allowed a veteran to voluntarily waive free services and pay an upfront fee if a written waiver acknowledged that free services are available through the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and federally chartered veterans service organizations; the waiver would have to be retained for one year and made available to the attorney general on request.

Representative Hildebrandt asked the committee to delay action on the amendment in exchange for a commitment to work further with the sponsor. Representative Duell agreed to work with Hildebrandt between the committee and oversight committee to refine language, and the amendment was laid over. With the amendment laid over, the committee proceeded on the bill as introduced; after brief procedural discussion the committee voted to report the bill as do pass, 8 yays and 0 nays.

The transcript does not show committee debate on details of the standards the bill would impose; the amendment text, as read into the record, would permit written waivers allowing veterans to pay for services only if they were made aware of free alternatives and the waiver is retained for one year for AG review. The sponsor said he would work with other members to address concerns about banning fees for third‑party providers.

The bill proceeds with the committee’s do‑pass recommendation; the transcript does not specify subsequent schedule or implementation timeline.