Committee advances SF 4171 to clarify prorated utility billing and require portal alternatives for tenants

Senator Clark described SF 4171 as a bipartisan fix to recurring problems in multifamily utility billing and digital landlord portals. "Sections 1 and 3 provide a fair formula for calculating prorated utility charges for that final month," the sponsor said, and the bill’s section 2 requires landlords to provide an alternative means to pay rent or request repairs when tenant portals are not working.

Cecil Smith, representing the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, testified the association strongly supports the bill and that it closes a practical billing gap when tenants move out before the landlord receives the actual utility bill. Ron Elwood, of Legal Aid, said the bill protects tenants by preventing evictions that arise when portals malfunction and tenants cannot complete timely payments.

Committee members had no further questions and recommended SF 4171 be passed and sent to the senate floor.