Panel approves amendment and re-refers submetered utility billing bill after stakeholder negotiations

Vice Chair Dotseth managed consideration of House File 3951, a negotiated bill focused on submetered (apportioned) utility service billing. Representative Eigel, the sponsor, described the legislation as a product of interim collaboration among landlord groups, tenant advocates and the attorney general's office.

Cecil Smith, president and CEO of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, told the committee the bill "offers tenant protections, especially on portals, where technology is great until it doesn't work," and said stakeholders reached an agreement during interim meetings to clarify how final utility bills are handled.

Ron Elwood, introduced as supervising attorney for Legal Aid, praised the collaborative drafting process and urged member support, calling the effort a model for how to resolve landlord-tenant issues.

During questioning, members sought specifics about whether the bill applies to direct utility accounts or to submetered/apportioned utilities. Witnesses and the sponsor clarified the measure applies to submetered/apportioned utilities, not direct utility providers; it prescribes a single administrative charge on the final bill (maximum $8) and permits a late fee only if a prior month's payment was at least 30 days late.

Representative Eigel moved Amendment A1 to put the bill in the desired form; members approved the amendment by voice vote. The sponsor renewed a motion to re-refer House File 3951 as amended to the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Law, and the committee carried the motion by voice vote.

Next steps: House File 3951, as amended, will proceed to the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee for further consideration.