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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 aims to establish specific requirements for landlords regarding the billing of utility services in residential buildings, focusing on ensuring transparency and fairness in submetered and apportioned utility services provided to tenants.

Main Provisions

  • Submetered Utility Billing: Landlords must bill tenants for submetered utilities using actual meter readings. These bills should include comprehensive details such as current and previous meter readings, the billing rate, service amount, any credits or surcharges, total bill amounts, and due dates.
  • Billing Frequency: Landlords are required to provide utility bills to tenants no less frequently than the utility company bills the landlord.
  • Bill Payment Terms: Utility service bills should be due no less than 31 days from the issuance date. This applies to both submetered services and apportioned natural gas services.
  • Transparency Requirements: Landlords must inform tenants at the lease's outset about the schedule for utility bill issuance. They are also required to supply tenants with copies of natural gas and water/sewer bills if requested, for the current and past up to two years.
  • Prohibition on Electricity Apportionment: The bill expressly prohibits the apportionment of electricity services, meaning landlords cannot divide a single electricity bill among multiple tenants.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

The bill introduces additional transparency requirements not previously mandated, ensuring that detailed utility billing information is provided to tenants. It establishes a minimum period for bill payment due dates, thus providing tenants more time to manage payments. These updates aim to avoid disputes and ensure clear communication between landlords and tenants regarding utility charges.

Relevant Terms

  • Submetered utility service
  • Apportioned utility bill
  • Billing frequency
  • Meter readings
  • Billing transparency
  • Electricity apportionment

Bill text versions

Actions

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

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A requirement that utility bills must be due not less than 31 days after issuance."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends the billing requirements for submetered utility services under section 216B.023 subdivision 1.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the information that landlords must include on submetered utility service bills."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "216B.023",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies tenant rights regarding access to utility bills."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends apportionment guidelines for utility services in rental properties under section 504B.216 subdivision 5.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts due date for apportioned utility bills to not less than 31 days after issuance."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "504B.216",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 5"
  }
]

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