as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/01/2024 03:15pm
A bill for an act
relating to consumer protection; changing application of abnormal market disruption
and unconscionably excessive price prohibition; amending Minnesota Statutes
2023 Supplement, section 325E.80, subdivisions 5, 6, 7.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 325E.80, subdivision 5, is amended
to read:
Upon the occurrence of a weather event classified as a severe
thunderstorm pursuant to the criteria established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, a residential building contractornew text begin , tree trimmer, or restoration and mitigation
services providernew text end operating within the geographic region impacted by the weather event
and repairing damage caused by the weather event shall not:
(1) charge an unconscionably excessive price for labor in comparison to the market price
charged for comparable services in the geographic region impacted by the weather event;
or
(2) charge an insurance company a rate that exceeds what the residential building
contractornew text begin , tree trimmer, or restoration and mitigation services provider wouldnew text end otherwise
deleted text begin charges membersdeleted text end new text begin charge a membernew text end of the general public.
Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 325E.80, subdivision 6, is amended
to read:
A person who is found to have violated deleted text begin this sectiondeleted text end new text begin subdivision
4new text end is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per sale or transaction, with a maximum
penalty of $25,000 per day. No other penalties may be imposed for the same conduct
regulated under deleted text begin this sectiondeleted text end new text begin subdivision 4new text end .
Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 325E.80, subdivision 7, is amended
to read:
(a) The attorney general may investigate and bring
an action new text begin using their authority under section 8.31 new text end against a seller deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end residential building
contractornew text begin , tree trimmer, or restoration and mitigation services providernew text end for an alleged
violation of this section.
(b) Nothing in this section creates a private cause of action in favor of a person injured
by a violation of this section.