HF2676

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to update Minnesota's commerce laws by providing an exemption for food and beverage service establishments from certain advertising requirements related to mandatory fees.

Main Provisions

• Exemption for Food and Beverage Establishments:
  • The bill aims to exempt food and beverage service establishments, including hotels, from the requirement to include all mandatory fees or surcharges in advertised prices.
• Clarification on Mandatory Fees:
  • Although businesses usually must include mandatory fees in advertised pricing, this bill specifies that a clear disclosure of automatic gratuities for food or beverage services is sufficient for compliance instead.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Alteration of Advertising Requirements:
  • The current law requires all businesses to include mandatory fees in advertised prices to avoid deceptive trade practices. Under this bill, food and beverage establishments will be exempt from including these fees upfront, as long as there is clear disclosure of such fees.
• Addition to Exemption List:
  • Food and beverage service establishments are added to the list of exemptions alongside motor vehicle fees, public utilities, and certain real estate settlement services.

Relevant Terms

• Exemption
• Mandatory fees
• Advertising requirements
• Food and beverage establishments
• Gratuities
• Deceptive trade practice