SAVES Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2605
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-26: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 264.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act" (SAVES Act), H.R. 2605, aims to support veterans with disabilities by funding service dogs through grants to nonprofit organizations. It establishes a pilot program to increase access to trained service dogs and extends certain limits on veterans' pension payments.
Key Provisions
- Pilot Program for Service Dog Grants (Section 2):
- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) must start a competitive grant program within 24 months of enactment, awarding up to $2 million per grant to qualified nonprofits.
- Nonprofits must apply with details on their plans, including training for veterans and dogs, additional support services, marketing to reach veterans, humane treatment standards, and proof of experience in service dog training compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, a federal law protecting people with disabilities).
- Grant recipients must agree to: notify veterans that the dog is funded by the VA; inform them of available VA benefits; provide dogs free of charge; and follow other VA terms.
- Funds can be used for planning, developing, and managing service dog programs, with VA limits on administrative costs.
- The VA may offer commercial veterinary insurance for these service dogs, continuing it even after the program ends unless it's not in the best interest of the veteran, dog, or government.
- The VA will provide training/technical assistance to applicants and monitor grants through reports and oversight to ensure proper use.
- Definitions:
- Eligible veteran: Enrolled in VA health care, prescribed a service dog by the VA, and has a "covered condition" (e.g., blindness, mobility issues, hearing loss, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or other disabilities where a service dog aids independent living).
- Service dog: A dog trained to perform tasks for people with physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental disabilities.
- Funding: $10 million authorized annually for fiscal years 2027–2031; program ends September 30, 2031.
- Extension of Pension Payment Limits (Section 3):
- Amends 38 U.S.C. § 5503(d)(7) to extend the deadline for certain restrictions on veterans' pension payments from November 30, 2031, to February 28, 2033. (This section limits pension adjustments based on income or assets for certain veterans.)
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new VA pilot program for grants to nonprofits specifically for service dogs, which does not currently exist in this form under VA authority.
- Extends the timeline for pension payment limits by about 15 months, delaying potential reductions or adjustments in benefits for affected veterans.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA will need to allocate resources for program setup, grant administration, oversight, insurance provision, and reporting, potentially increasing administrative workload but supported by dedicated funding.
- On Citizens: Eligible veterans with disabilities may gain better access to service dogs, improving independence and quality of life for conditions like PTSD or mobility issues. No fees for dogs ensure accessibility for low-income veterans.
- On International Relations: None apparent; the bill focuses on domestic veteran support.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans: Primarily those with covered conditions who are VA-enrolled and prescribed service dogs; they benefit from free access, training, and potential insurance.
- Nonprofit Organizations: Service dog trainers and providers eligible for grants, requiring demonstrated experience and compliance with standards.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Responsible for implementation, funding, oversight, and providing insurance/support.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Involved through authorization of appropriations and extension of pension rules.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with the ADA by requiring compliant training, potentially expanding VA's role in disability support without creating new entitlements. The pilot's temporary nature (ending 2031) allows evaluation before permanence.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; supports equal protection for disabled veterans under the Fifth Amendment by aiding independent living.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (over 60 cosponsors from both parties) reflects broad support for veteran welfare. The pension extension may prevent benefit disruptions, appealing to veteran advocacy groups, but could raise fiscal concerns if costs exceed authorizations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8]
Cosponsors (76)
Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Hunt, Wesley [R-TX-38], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Goldman, Craig [R-TX-12], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene [D-VA-7], Rep. Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7], Rep. Conaway, Herbert [D-NJ-3], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4] and 26 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-26: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 264.
- 2025-09-26: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-310.
- 2025-09-26: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 119-310.
- 2025-07-23: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 2025-07-23: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-07-03: Subcommittee on Health Discharged
- 2025-06-12: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-04-11: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-04-02: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2025-04-02: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-02: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act — issued 2025-04-02 — PDF (8 pages)
- Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act — issued 2025-09-26 — PDF (12 pages)