This bill addresses various aspects of housing law in Minnesota, particularly focusing on the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants regarding utility billing, payment of rent, and eviction procedures. It introduces a new provision that allows landlords to issue estimated final utility bills for submetered and apportioned utility services if the actual bill has not been received by the time a tenant vacates. Additionally, it modifies the existing law on rent payment, mandating landlords to provide written receipts for cash payments and requiring them to offer alternative payment methods if a digital payment platform is not functioning. The bill also establishes an affirmative defense for tenants against eviction actions for nonpayment of rent if landlords violate these provisions.

Furthermore, the bill prohibits landlords from listing minors as defendants in eviction actions, with specific exceptions, and establishes penalties for violations of this rule. It modifies expedited eviction procedures by increasing the civil penalty for improper expedited hearing requests from $500 to $750 and clarifies the types of allegations that can be considered during such hearings. The effective date for many of these provisions is set for August 1, 2026, applying to eviction actions filed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 216B.023, 504B.118, 504B.216
1st Engrossment: 216B.023, 504B.118, 504B.216
2nd Engrossment: 216B.023, 504B.118, 504B.216, 504B.321
1st Unofficial Engrossment: 216B.023, 504B.118, 504B.216, 504B.321