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SF 3221

Apportioned and submetered utility service bills made due no less than 31 days from the date of bill issuance by landlords requirement provision

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Hoffman

Landlords must set the due date for apportioned or submetered utility bills at at least 31 days from issuance.

Referred to Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
#commerceandcommercedepartment #energy #landlordsandtenants
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Bill Summary · SF 3221

Summary of SF 3221 (Minnesota) – 2025-2026 Session

1) Purpose and Intent

SF 3221 aims to regulate the timing of payment for apportioned and submetered utility service bills issued by landlords. Specifically, the bill requires that such bills be due no less than 31 days from the date of bill issuance. The overarching goal is to ensure tenants have a minimum payment window to review charges and arrange payment, while clarifying the responsibilities of landlords in the billing process.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • Scope of applicability

    • Applies to utility charges that are apportioned or billed through submetering systems in rental properties. This typically includes utilities like electricity, gas, or water that are allocated to individual tenants based on measurements or allocations rather than being billed as a single household utility.

  • Due date requirement

    • Landlords (or entities billing tenants for apportioned or submetered utilities) must set the due date for such bills at not less than 31 days from the date the bill is issued to the tenant.
    • This creates a mandatory minimum payment window, ensuring tenants have adequate time to receive, review, and pay the bill.

  • Administrative and compliance framework

    • The bill would establish enforcement mechanisms and compliance expectations for landlords who fail to adhere to the 31-day due date rule.
    • Potential processes for dispute resolution or tenant complaints related to improper billing or rushed payment deadlines may be addressed.

  • Definitions and terminology

    • The bill clarifies terms related to “apportioned” and “submetered” utilities to ensure consistent application across rental properties and to avoid ambiguity in enforcement.

3) People and Entities Affected

  • Tenants in rental properties with submetered or apportioned utilities

    • Beneficiaries of a longer, predictable due date, with clearer timelines for payment and potential opportunities to review charges.

  • Landlords and property managers

    • Required to follow the 31-day due date rule for applicable utility bills.
    • May need to adjust existing billing practices, notices, and accounting systems to ensure compliance.

  • Utility service providers and submetering operators

    • Indirectly affected through the need to align billing issuance timelines with the new due-date standard when they issue charges on behalf of landlords or act as the biller.

4) Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Legislative status

    • Introduced and read for the first time on April 2, 2025.
    • Referred to the standing committee: Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate.

  • Effective date (anticipated)

    • The bill text would specify an effective date (e.g., upon enactment or a future date) for the 31-day due date requirement. If not specified in the summary, the full bill text would provide the exact effective date and any phase-in provisions.

  • Enforcement and penalties

    • The bill would typically outline penalties or remedies for noncompliance, which may include administrative penalties, civil remedies for tenants, or other enforcement mechanisms defined by Minnesota law.

5) Additional Notes

  • This summary reflects the bill’s stated focus on due dates for apportioned and submetered utility bills and does not detail other potential provisions that could be introduced or amended during the legislative process.
  • For a complete understanding, consulting the full bill text, fiscal notes, and committee amendments is recommended once available.

If you’d like, I can compare SF 3221 to current Minnesota statutes on utility billing to highlight exact differences or provide a plain-language FAQ for tenants and landlords.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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