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SF3221 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Apportioned and submetered utility service bills made due no less than 31 days from the date of bill issuance by landlords requirement provision

Related bill: HF2974

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill is aimed at ensuring fairness and transparency in how utility services are billed to tenants by landlords in residential buildings. It seeks to establish specific billing requirements for landlords who provide utility services that are submetered or apportioned.

Main Provisions

  1. Billing Requirements:

    • Landlords must issue utility bills that are based on actual submeter readings.
    • Utilities that are submetered, such as natural gas, must follow specified billing practices outlined in the sections mentioned.

  2. Billing Frequency:

    • Landlords cannot bill tenants less frequently than they receive bills from the utility company.

  3. Lease Notification:

    • Landlords must notify tenants of the utility billing schedule either in the lease agreement or a separate written statement at the beginning of the lease term.

  4. Bill Details:

    • Submetered utility bills must include information such as current and previous meter readings, utility rates, tenant's share of taxes and surcharges, any bill credits from the utility, administrative charges, total amount due, due dates, and late payment charges.

  5. Payment Due Date:

    • Payments for utility bills must be due no earlier than 31 days after the date of bill issuance.

  6. Tenants’ Rights and Documentation:

    • Upon request, landlords must provide tenants with the current and historical utility bills related to any apportionment.
    • Tenants must be informed of their rights regarding access to billing information.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • The bill amends existing statutes to introduce a mandatory minimum 31-day payment period after utility bill issuance.
  • It mandates detailed disclosure requirements on utility bills that were not previously specified.
  • Prohibits electricity apportionment, which means landlords cannot divide electricity charges among tenants.

Relevant Terms

submetering, utility billing, apportioned billing, natural gas, electricity apportionment, lease notification, tenant rights, billing transparency, administrative charge, bill credit, late payment charge.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
April 01, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toEnergy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Requirement for utility bill due dates to be not less than 31 days from issuance."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies billing requirements for submetered utility services under section 216B.023 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "216B.023",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarification on provision of utility bills to tenants upon request."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill updates apportionment rules for utility services under section 504B.216 subdivision 5.",
      "modified": [
        "Specification that electricity apportionment is prohibited."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "504B.216",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  }
]

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