S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8150
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
May 15, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. BYNOE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Securi-
ty and Military Affairs
AN ACT to amend the veterans' services law, the general business law,
the penal law, and the state finance law, in relation to enacting the
"governing unaccredited representatives defrauding (GUARD) VA benefits
act"
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
the "governing unaccredited representatives defrauding (GUARD) VA bene-
fits act".
§ 2. The veterans' services law is amended by adding a new section
29-e to read as follows:
§ 29-E. PROTECTING VETERANS FROM FRAUD AND UNACCREDITED REPRESEN-
TATIVES.
1. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE
THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
(A) "UNACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVE" SHALL MEAN ANY PERSON LACKING THE
AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE VA TO REPRESENTATIVES, AGENTS, AND ATTORNEYS TO
ASSIST CLAIMANTS IN THE PREPARATION, PRESENTATION, AND PROSECUTION OF
CLAIMS FOR VA BENEFITS UNDER TITLE 38 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE AND
TITLE 38 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
(B) "VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED
BY SECTION THREE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE-F OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW.
(C) "VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER FRAUDS" SHALL MEAN ANY TYPE OF CONSUMER
FRAUD, SCAM, OR DECEPTIVE BUSINESS PRACTICE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO THOSE USING MAIL, TELEVISION, INTERNET, TELEMARKETING, RECORDED
MESSAGE TELEPHONE CALLS COMMONLY KNOWN AS ROBOCALLS, SOLICITATIONS AND
MARKETING THAT TARGET OR ADVERSELY AFFECT INTENDED RECIPIENTS INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY VIOLATION OF CHAPTER 59 OF TITLE 38 OF THE UNITED
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11765-02-5
S. 8150 2
STATES CODE OR SECTION THREE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE-F OF THE GENERAL BUSI-
NESS LAW.
(D) "INTENDED RECIPIENTS" SHALL INCLUDE VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND
THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS OF SUCH INDIVIDUALS.
(E) "ENTITY" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED BY SECTION THREE
HUNDRED FORTY-NINE-F OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW.
(F) "CLAIMANT" MEANS ANY INDIVIDUAL APPLYING FOR, OR SUBMITTING A
CLAIM FOR, ANY BENEFIT UNDER THE LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE U.S. SECRETARY
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(G) "VA" MEANS THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
2. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH AN INFORMATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
TO RAISE AWARENESS OF VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER FRAUDS. SUCH PROGRAM
SHALL DISSEMINATE TO INTENDED RECIPIENTS:
(A) GENERAL INFORMATION ON VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER FRAUDS, INCLUDING
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF FRAUD, SCAMS AND OTHER DECEP-
TIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES, AND MEASURES INTENDED RECIPIENTS CAN TAKE TO
PROTECT AGAINST SUCH VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER FRAUDS;
(B) INFORMATION ON HOW TO REPORT VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER FRAUDS TO
THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OTHER
APPROPRIATE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES;
(C) GENERAL INFORMATION ON SEEKING REPRESENTATION IN A VETERANS' BENE-
FITS MATTER, INCLUDING HOW TO VERIFY VA ACCREDITATION AND IDENTIFY UNAC-
CREDITED REPRESENTATIVES AND BEST PRACTICES FOR SEEKING REPRESENTATION
OR ASSISTANCE WITH A VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER;
(D) INFORMATION ON WHEN AN ENTITY MAY LAWFULLY SEEK REASONABLE COMPEN-
SATION OR FEES IN CONNECTION WITH A VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER;
(E) PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION ABOUT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TAKEN
AGAINST UNACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVES AND ENTITIES ENGAGING IN VETERANS'
BENEFITS MATTER FRAUDS TARGETING OR ADVERSELY AFFECTING INTENDED RECIPI-
ENTS; AND
(F) INFORMATION ON THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS OF
VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER FRAUDS TARGETING OR ADVERSELY AFFECTING
INTENDED RECIPIENTS.
3. THE PROGRAM SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS:
(A) PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS;
(B) ESTABLISHMENT OF A TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE HOTLINE AND EMAIL ADDRESS
TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS REGARDING VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER FRAUDS TARGET-
ING OR ADVERSELY AFFECTING INTENDED RECIPIENTS;
(C) MAINTAINING A PAGE ON THE DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE TO SERVE AS A
RESOURCE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER FRAUDS THAT
TARGET OR ADVERSELY AFFECT INTENDED RECIPIENTS, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE BUT
NOT BE LIMITED TO:
(I) WARNINGS ABOUT POTENTIAL PREDATORY PRACTICES INCLUDING A WARNING
ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WHO SEEK TO ACT IN VIOLATION OF CHAPTER 59 OF TITLE 38
OF THE UNITED STATES CODE OR SECTION THREE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE-F OF THE
GENERAL BUSINESS LAW;
(II) A LINK TO THE ONLINE TOOL OF THE VA THROUGH WHICH A CLAIMANT MAY
REPORT AN INDIVIDUAL ACTING IN VIOLATION OF CHAPTER 59 OF TITLE 38 OF
THE UNITED STATES CODE OR SECTION THREE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE-F OF THE
GENERAL BUSINESS LAW;
(III) A LINK TO THE ONLINE TOOL OF THE VA THROUGH WHICH A CLAIMANT MAY
SEARCH FOR A RECOGNIZED AGENT, ATTORNEY, OR OTHER ENTITY RECOGNIZED BY
THE VA FOR THE PREPARATION, PRESENTATION, OR PROSECUTION OF ANY CLAIM
UNDER LAWS ADMINISTERED BY THE U.S. SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS; AND
(IV) A LINK TO A WEBSITE OR AN ONLINE TOOL OF THE VA PROVIDING FINAL
DECISIONS ON DISCIPLINE OF AGENTS, ATTORNEYS, AND ENTITIES, DESCRIBED IN
S. 8150 3
SUBPARAGRAPH (III) OF THIS PARAGRAPH, BY THE U.S. SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS FOR VIOLATIONS OF CHAPTER 59 OF TITLE 38 OF THE UNITED STATES
CODE; AND
(D) PROVIDING SEMINARS THREE TIMES PER YEAR AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT
THE STATE TO ADVISE INTENDED RECIPIENTS OF THE INFORMATION UNDER SUBDI-
VISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
4. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL COLLABORATE WITH RELEVANT STATE AGENCIES AND
OFFICIALS INCLUDING THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION, THE SECRETARY
OF STATE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, LOCAL DIRECTORS AND VETERANS' SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS TO MONITOR THE MARKET FOR VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER
FRAUDS, AND SHALL COORDINATE AND CONSULT WITH OTHER RELEVANT AGENCIES AS
APPROPRIATE REGARDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION AND TO ENSURE THE
LATEST INFORMATION REGARDING VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER FRAUD IS DISSEM-
INATED TO INTENDED RECIPIENTS.
5. THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, SHALL ESTABLISH STANDARD PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES
FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL VETERANS' SERVICE AGENCIES FOR
HANDLING ANY COMPLAINTS OF VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER FRAUD THAT MAY BE
REPORTED TO SUCH EMPLOYEES.
6. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM'S ACTIVITIES AND THE COMMISSIONER'S
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE REGARDING SUCH PROGRAM SHALL BE
INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED UNDER SUBDIVISION SEVENTEEN OF
SECTION FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE.
§ 3. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 2 of section 349-f of the general
business law, as added by chapter 183 of the laws of 2019, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) No entity shall [receive compensation for advising or assisting
any party with] SOLICIT, CONTRACT FOR, CHARGE, OR RECEIVE, OR ATTEMPT TO
SOLICIT, CONTRACT FOR, CHARGE, OR RECEIVE, ANY FEE OR COMPENSATION WITH
RESPECT TO any veterans' benefits matter, except as permitted under
title 38 of the United States code and the corresponding provisions
within title 38 of the United States code of federal regulations WITH
RESPECT TO VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTERS BEFORE THE UNITED STATES DEPART-
MENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, OR AS PERMITTED UNDER STATE LAW OR RULES
ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS' SERVICES WITH RESPECT TO VETER-
ANS' BENEFITS MATTERS BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES.
§ 4. Paragraph a of subdivision 4 of section 349-f of the general
business law, as added by chapter 183 of the laws of 2019, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) Any violation of this section shall constitute a deceptive act in
the conduct of business, trade, or commerce, and EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, shall be subject to the provisions of section
three hundred [forty nine] FORTY-NINE of this article, including any
right of action and corresponding penalties described within such
section.
§ 5. Subdivision 4 of section 349-f of the general business law is
amended by adding a new paragraph (c) to read as follows:
(C) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE
OF THIS ARTICLE TO THE CONTRARY:
(I) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS HARMED BY AN ENTITY AS A RESULT OF AN ENTI-
TY'S VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION MAY BRING AN ACTION IN THEIR OWN NAME
AGAINST AN ENTITY TO ENJOIN SUCH UNLAWFUL ACT OR PRACTICE, AN ACTION TO
RECOVER THEIR ACTUAL DAMAGES OR TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS, WHICHEVER
IS GREATER, OR BOTH SUCH ACTIONS, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER REMEDY AVAIL-
ABLE IN LAW OR EQUITY. THE COURT MAY AWARD COSTS AND REASONABLE ATTOR-
NEY'S FEES TO A PREVAILING PLAINTIFF.
S. 8150 4
(II) WHENEVER THE COURT SHALL DETERMINE THAT A VIOLATION OF THIS
SECTION HAS OCCURRED, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE A CIVIL PENALTY OF NOT MORE
THAN TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EACH VIOLATION.
(III) ANY VIOLATION OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS
SECTION SHALL BE A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR, AND UPON CONVICTION THEREOF,
SHALL BE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, OR
BY IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR, OR BY BOTH SUCH FINE AND
IMPRISONMENT; PROVIDED HOWEVER, A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE SHALL BE
PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS OR BY
IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR, OR BY BOTH SUCH FINE AND IMPRI-
SONMENT. IN ADDITION, THE COURT MAY ORDER AS PART OF THE SENTENCE
IMPOSED RESTITUTION OR REPARATION TO THE VICTIM OF THE CRIME PURSUANT TO
SECTION 60.27 OF THE PENAL LAW. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL HAVE THE
POWER TO PROSECUTE ANY VIOLATION OF PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF
THIS SECTION.
(IV) THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL REMEDIES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION SHALL
NOT PRECLUDE ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY OR GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY FROM SEEK-
ING RELIEF UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTORY OR COMMON LAW RIGHT TO RELIEF.
§ 6. Subdivision 5 of section 349-f of the general business law is
renumbered subdivision 6 and a new subdivision 5 is added to read as
follows:
5. (A) IN ADDITION TO ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES OR A CIVIL PENALTY
IMPOSED PURSUANT TO SECTIONS THREE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE, THREE HUNDRED
FIFTY-C AND THREE HUNDRED FIFTY-D OF THIS CHAPTER, REGARDING DECEPTIVE
PRACTICES AND FALSE ADVERTISING, AND SUBDIVISION TWELVE OF SECTION
SIXTY-THREE OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW, REGARDING PROCEEDINGS BY THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL FOR EQUITABLE RELIEF AGAINST FRAUDULENT OR ILLEGAL CONSUMER
FRAUD, A PERSON OR ENTITY WHO ENGAGES IN ANY CONDUCT PROHIBITED BY SUCH
PROVISIONS OF LAW, AND WHOSE CONDUCT IS PERPETRATED AGAINST ONE OR MORE
PERSONS SEEKING OR USING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A VETERANS' BENE-
FITS MATTER, MAY BE LIABLE FOR AN ADDITIONAL CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED
TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVI-
SION.
(B) IN DETERMINING WHETHER TO IMPOSE A SUPPLEMENTAL CIVIL PENALTY
PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, AND THE AMOUNT OF ANY
SUCH PENALTY, THE COURT SHALL CONSIDER, IN ADDITION TO OTHER APPROPRIATE
FACTORS AS DETERMINED BY THE COURT, THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE FOLLOWING
FACTORS ARE PRESENT:
(I) WHETHER THE DEFENDANT KNEW THAT SUCH DEFENDANT'S CONDUCT WAS
DIRECTED TO ONE OR MORE PERSONS SEEKING OR USING SERVICES IN CONNECTION
WITH A VETERAN'S BENEFITS MATTER OR WHETHER SUCH DEFENDANT KNOWINGLY
ACTED WITH DISREGARD FOR THE RIGHTS OF A PERSON SEEKING OR USING
SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER;
(II) WHETHER THE DEFENDANT'S CONDUCT:
(1) CAUSED A PERSON SEEKING OR USING SERVICES TO SUFFER LOSS OR ENCUM-
BRANCE OF A PRIMARY RESIDENCE, LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT OR SOURCE OF INCOME,
SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF PROPERTY OR ASSETS ESSENTIAL TO THE HEALTH OR
WELFARE OF THE PERSON SEEKING OR USING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH A
VETERAN'S BENEFITS MATTER; OR
(2) WHETHER ONE OR MORE PERSONS SEEKING OR USING SERVICES IN
CONNECTION WITH A VETERAN'S BENEFITS MATTER WERE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE
VULNERABLE TO SUCH DEFENDANT'S CONDUCT BECAUSE OF DISABILITY, IMPAIRED
UNDERSTANDING, OR ANY OTHER PERCEIVED DISADVANTAGE, AND ACTUALLY
SUFFERED PHYSICAL OR ECONOMIC DAMAGE RESULTING FROM SUCH DEFENDANT'S
CONDUCT.
S. 8150 5
(C) RESTITUTION ORDERED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF LAW LISTED IN
PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION OR PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER SECTION OF
LAW SHALL BE GIVEN PRIORITY OVER THE IMPOSITION OF CIVIL PENALTIES
ORDERED BY THE COURT UNDER THIS SUBDIVISION.
§ 7. The penal law is amended by adding a new section 190.90 to read
as follows:
§ 190.90 UNLAWFUL COMPENSATION IN A VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER.
A PERSON IS GUILTY OF UNLAWFUL COMPENSATION IN A VETERANS' BENEFITS
MATTER WHEN SUCH PERSON KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY VIOLATES PARAGRAPH (A)
OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE-F OF THE GENERAL
BUSINESS LAW.
UNLAWFUL COMPENSATION IN A VETERANS' BENEFITS MATTER IS A CLASS A
MISDEMEANOR.
§ 8. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-tt to
read as follows:
§ 99-TT. VETERANS' SERVICES FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN
THE JOINT CUSTODY OF THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, THE
COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS' SERVICES, AND THE COMPTROLLER, A SPECIAL FUND
TO BE KNOWN AS THE "VETERANS' SERVICES FUND".
2. SUCH FUND SHALL CONSIST OF ALL CIVIL PENALTIES IMPOSED PURSUANT TO
SECTION THREE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE-F OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, ANY
ADDITIONAL MONEYS APPROPRIATED, CREDITED OR TRANSFERRED TO SUCH FUND BY
THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE AMOUNTS OF MONEYS RECEIVED AND DEPOSITED INTO
THE FUND FROM GRANTS, GIFTS AND BEQUESTS DURING THE PRECEDING CALENDAR
YEAR, AS CERTIFIED BY THE COMPTROLLER. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL
PREVENT THE STATE FROM SOLICITING AND RECEIVING GRANTS, GIFTS OR
BEQUESTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE FUND AS DEFINED IN THIS SECTION AND
DEPOSITING THEM INTO THE FUND ACCORDING TO LAW. ANY INTEREST EARNED BY
THE INVESTMENT OF MONEYS IN SUCH FUND SHALL BE ADDED TO SUCH FUND,
BECOME PART OF SUCH FUND, AND BE USED FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH FUND.
3. ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY EACH YEAR, THE COMMISSIONER
OF VETERANS' SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE TEMPORARY
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, CHAIR OF THE SENATE
FINANCE COMMITTEE, CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, CHAIR
OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY
AFFAIRS, CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, THE STATE
COMPTROLLER AND THE PUBLIC. SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE HOW THE MONEYS OF
THE FUND WERE UTILIZED DURING THE PRECEDING CALENDAR YEAR, AND SHALL
INCLUDE:
(A) THE AMOUNT OF MONEY DISPERSED FROM THE FUND AND THE AWARD PROCESS
USED FOR SUCH DISBURSEMENTS;
(B) RECIPIENTS OF AWARDS FROM THE FUND;
(C) THE AMOUNT AWARDED TO EACH;
(D) THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH SUCH AWARDS WERE GRANTED; AND
(E) A SUMMARY FINANCIAL PLAN FOR SUCH MONEYS WHICH SHALL INCLUDE ESTI-
MATES OF ALL RECEIPTS AND ALL DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE CURRENT AND SUCCEED-
ING FISCAL YEARS, ALONG WITH THE ACTUAL RESULTS FROM THE PRIOR FISCAL
YEAR.
4. ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF FEBRUARY OF EACH CALENDAR YEAR, THE
COMPTROLLER SHALL CERTIFY TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF
THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE FINANCE
COMMITTEE AND THE CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, THE
AMOUNT OF MONEY DEPOSITED IN THE VETERANS' SERVICES FUND DURING THE
PRECEDING CALENDAR YEAR AS THE RESULT OF REVENUE DERIVED PURSUANT TO
SECTION THREE HUNDRED FORTY-NINE-F OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, AND FROM
ALL GRANTS, GIFTS AND BEQUESTS.
S. 8150 6
5. MONEYS OF THE FUND SHALL BE EXPENDED ONLY FOR THE AWARD OF GRANTS
TO VETERANS' SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS CERTIFIED BY THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO ASSIST CLAIMANTS IN THE PREPARATION,
PRESENTATION, AND PROSECUTION OF CLAIMS FOR UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS BENEFITS, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS'
SERVICES.
6. MONEYS SHALL BE PAID OUT OF THE FUND ON THE AUDIT AND WARRANT OF
THE COMPTROLLER ON VOUCHERS APPROVED AND CERTIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER
OF VETERANS' SERVICES. ANY INTEREST RECEIVED BY THE COMPTROLLER ON
MONEYS ON DEPOSIT IN THE VETERANS' SERVICES FUND SHALL BE RETAINED IN
AND BECOME PART OF SUCH FUND.
§ 9. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
sion, or section of this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or
invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation
to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or section thereof
directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have
been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the legislature
that this act would have been enacted even if such invalid provisions
had not been included herein.
§ 10. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day
after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition,
amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the
implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be
made and completed on or before such effective date.
