SF 2648

Introduction - 81st Legislature (1999 - 2000)

Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00 a.m.

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to utilities; requiring utilities to accept 
  1.3             every offer of valid payment from customer; imposing a 
  1.4             penalty; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
  1.5             Statutes, chapter 325E. 
  1.6   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.7      Section 1.  [325E.027] [UTILITY BILL PAYMENT BY CREDIT 
  1.8   CARD.] 
  1.9      (a) For purposes of this section, the terms "utility" and 
  1.10  "customer" have the meanings given them in section 325E.025, and 
  1.11  "credit card" has the meaning given it in section 47.59, 
  1.12  subdivision 1. 
  1.13     (b) A utility shall accept payment for retail utility 
  1.14  service by any valid credit card, cash, check, or similar means 
  1.15  of payment, each and every time lawful payment is tendered for 
  1.16  the benefit of a customer for utility service provided by the 
  1.17  utility. 
  1.18     (c) Section 8.31 applies to a violation of this section as 
  1.19  an unlawful practice in business, commerce, or trade.