The "Minnesota Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act" aims to combat fraudulent business filings by establishing a clear process for reporting and addressing such incidents. The bill introduces new definitions for terms like "complainant," "filer," and "office," and outlines the procedure for submitting declarations of wrongful filings. The Office of the Secretary of State is responsible for reviewing these declarations and must notify both the complainant and the filer upon acceptance. The legislation also sets timelines for responses and investigations, and it includes provisions for issuing final orders that treat fraudulent filings as if they never existed, along with allowing for judicial review of these orders.

In addition to addressing fraudulent filings, the bill introduces new penalties for non-compliant solicitation practices, classifying them as misdemeanors and linking violations to existing sections of Minnesota Statutes. It amends the scope of certain sections regarding government data, specifically updating references and clarifying the governance of data related to business fraud investigations. The bill also expands the definition of perjury to include false statements in writings related to business fraud, thereby enhancing accountability and integrity in legal processes. The act is set to take effect for filings made on or after January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 13.485, 609.48
1st Engrossment: 13.485, 609.48