Enacts the governing unaccredited representatives defrauding (GUARD) VA benefits act
Introduced
Moved
Reached a final decision
Became law
Derived from the official record below.
Officially: “Enacts the governing unaccredited representatives defrauding (GUARD) VA benefits act” Read the full text
Senate
What it does
Protects veterans from fraud and unaccredited representatives; institutes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violation; establishes the class A misdemeanor crime of unaccredited representation of a veteran; establishes a veterans' services fund.
Summary from the sponsor's memo in the official legislative record, shown verbatim. Not legal advice.
Where it is
REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS · May 15, 2025
Senate
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES · Jun 9, 2025
Senate
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1717 · Jun 9, 2025
Senate
PASSED SENATE · Jun 9, 2025
Senate
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY · Jun 9, 2025
Senate
REFERRED TO CODES · Jun 9, 2025
Assembly
SUBSTITUTED FOR A8476 · Jun 13, 2025
Assembly
ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.758 · Jun 13, 2025
Assembly
PASSED ASSEMBLY · Jun 13, 2025
Assembly
RETURNED TO SENATE · Jun 13, 2025
Assembly
DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR · Nov 3, 2025
Senate
SIGNED CHAP.491 · Nov 5, 2025
Senate
The numbers
2
sponsors on the bill
Sponsors
Siela BynoeSteve Rhoads
Recorded votes
Recorded voteSenate · 2025-06-09 · EXC 1, AYE 62
Recorded voteSenate · 2025-06-09 · AYEWR 2, AYE 19
Roll-call results shown verbatim from the New York legislature’s records. A result reflects that roll call’s own motion, not the bill’s overall outcome.
Who is lobbying on this
VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA NEW YORK STATE COUNCILvia BING MARKEE & COMPANY, INC.
4 filingsFrom 4 filings in New York State lobbying disclosures (COELIG), via data.ny.gov, naming this bill (2025). Filings are self-reported by lobbying firms and show who is paid to influence this bill. They do not say which side, or whether it worked.
Nothing on this page shows why any vote was cast. Recorded votes and lobbying filings are separate official records, self-reported by different parties, and neither explains the other.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Signed by Governor (Nov 5, 2025).