St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 3526, bipartisan legislation authored by State Representative Brad Tabke (DFL - Shakopee). The bill combats price gouging, specifically for services utilized by a community after damaging storms. The bill passed on a vote of 89-40.
“When a community is picking up the pieces after a terrible storm, it’s not OK for companies to come in with skyrocketed prices to fleece Minnesotans that need help,” said Rep. Tabke. “That’s not how we look out for our neighbors. This bill will prohibit price gouging during a declared emergency and allow Minnesota to rebuild without being taken advantage of.”
Rep. Tabke’s legislation updates Minnesota’s new law prohibiting price gouging during a declared emergency by adding other services - tree trimming and damage restoration services - to the list of services covered by Minnesota’s price gouging law. The new language also clarifies that the Minnesota Attorney General has the authority to investigate actions against someone violating Minnesota’s price gouging law and that individuals violating this law can get fined.
More information on the bill can be found here. Video of today’s House Floor debate and vote on the bill can be found here. The bill’s companion in the Minnesota Senate is still going through the committee process.
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