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HB 5144

Relating to prohibiting certain deceptive trade practices by businesses assisting veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs claims.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Salman Bhojani and 20 co-sponsors

Texas bill HB 5144 bans deceptive trade practices by VA claim assistance businesses, protecting veterans from fraud and predatory fees in benefits processing.

Left pending in committee
#business&commerce--tradepractices(i0006) #civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #military&veterans(i0535)
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Bill Summary · HB 5144

Legislative bill overview

HB 5144 prohibits deceptive trade practices by businesses that assist veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims processing. The bill establishes consumer protections specifically targeting predatory practices in the veterans' benefits consulting industry. It creates standards for how claim assistance companies can advertise, charge fees, and represent their services to veterans.

Why is this important

Veterans often face complex VA claim processes and may be vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous claim assistance companies that make false promises or charge excessive fees. This bill directly addresses a real consumer protection gap, as veterans represent a population with specific, high-stakes needs and may have service-related disabilities affecting their ability to navigate bureaucratic processes. Protecting this demographic from fraud strengthens both individual financial security and public trust in veteran support services.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee structure regulation: The bill may face pushback regarding how much claim assistance companies can legitimately charge, with industry arguing restrictions limit business viability versus consumer advocates pushing for stricter caps
  • Definition specificity: Determining what constitutes "deceptive" practices requires precise language; overly broad definitions could chill legitimate business activity, while narrow ones may fail to capture actual fraud
  • Enforcement mechanism: Questions remain about whether existing Texas agencies have adequate resources to investigate and prosecute violations, or if new enforcement infrastructure is needed

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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