1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to civil actions; providing for the effect of
1.3 	a settlement offer on the recovery of costs and
1.4 	disbursements; proposing coding for new law in
1.5 	Minnesota Statutes, chapter 548.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [548.085] SETTLEMENT OFFER; COSTS AND
1.8 	DISBURSEMENTS.
1.9 	Notwithstanding any contrary provision in Rule 68 of the
1.10 	Rules of Civil Procedure, at any time prior to ten days before
1.11 	the trial begins, any party may serve upon an adverse party an
1.12 	offer to allow judgment to be entered to the effect specified in
1.13 	the offer or to pay or accept a specified sum of money, with
1.14 	costs and disbursements then accrued, either as to the claim of
1.15 	the offering party against the adverse party or as to the claim
1.16 	of the adverse party against the offering party.  Acceptance of
1.17 	the offer must be made by service of written notice of
1.18 	acceptance within ten days after service of the offer.  If the
1.19 	offer is not accepted within the ten-day period, it is deemed
1.20 	withdrawn.  During the ten-day period, the offer is
1.21 	irrevocable.  If the offer is accepted, either party may file
1.22 	the offer and the notice of acceptance, together with the proof
1.23 	of service thereof, and thereupon the court administrator shall
1.24 	enter judgment.  If a judgment finally entered is not more
1.25 	favorable to the offeree than the offer, the offeree must pay
2.1 	the offeror's costs and disbursements and the offeree is not
2.2 	entitled to the offeree's costs and disbursements as a
2.3 	prevailing party.  The fact that an offer is made but not
2.4 	accepted does not preclude a subsequent offer.