<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 504B.215, subdivision 3.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>April 29, 2008<br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>The Honorable James P. Metzen<br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>President of the Senate<br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>The Honorable Margaret Anderson Kelliher<br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>Speaker of the House of Representatives<br/>
<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>We, the undersigned conferees for S.F. No. 2909 report that we have agreed upon <br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>the items in dispute and recommend as follows:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>That the House recede from its amendment and that S.F. No. 2909 be further <br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>amended as follows:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>    "Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 504B.215, subdivision 2, is amended to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Single-meter utility service payments.</b> In a residential leasehold contract <br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>entered into or renewed on or after August 1, 1995 Except as provided in subdivision 3, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>the landlord of a single-metered residential building shall be the bill payer responsible, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>and shall be the customer of record contracting with the utility for utility services. The <br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>landlord must advise the utility provider that the utility services apply to a single-metered <br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>residential building. A failure by the landlord to comply with this subdivision is a <br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>violation of sections 
         <statute_ref>504B.161, subdivision 1</statute_ref>, clause (1), and 
         <statute_ref>504B.221</statute_ref>. This subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.1.24"></a><var>1.24</var>may not be waived by contract or otherwise. This subdivision does not require a landlord <br/>
<a id="pl.1.25"></a><var>1.25</var>to contract and pay for utility service provided to each residential unit through a separate <br/>
<a id="pl.1.26"></a><var>1.26</var>meter which accurately measures that unit's use only. This subdivision does not prohibit a <br/>
<a id="pl.1.27"></a><var>1.27</var>landlord from apportioning utility service payments among residential units and either <br/>
<a id="pl.1.28"></a><var>1.28</var>including utility costs in a unit's rent or billing for utility charges separate from rent. <br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.2.0"></a><a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 504B.215, subdivision 3, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>    Subd. 3. <b>Procedure.</b> (a) When a municipality, utility company, or other company <br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>supplying home heating oil, propane, natural gas, electricity, or water to a building has <br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>issued a final notice or has posted the building proposing to disconnect or discontinue the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>service to the building because a landlord who has contracted for the service has failed <br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>to pay for it or because a landlord is required by law or contract to pay for the service <br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>and fails to do so, a tenant or group of tenants may pay to have the service continued or <br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>reconnected as provided under this section. If a building is posted, the posting must be <br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>placed in at least one conspicuous location in the building and provide tenants with, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>at a minimum, the following information:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>    (1) the date the service will be discontinued;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>    (2) the telephone number to call at the utility to obtain further information;<br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>    (3) a brief description of the rights of tenants under this section to continue or <br/>
<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>restore service; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>    (4) advice to consider seeking assistance from legal aid, a private attorney, or a <br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>housing organization in exercising the rights of tenants under Minnesota law to maintain <br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>their utility service.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>Before paying for the service, the tenant or group of tenants shall give oral or written <br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>notice to the landlord of the tenant's intention to pay after 48 hours, or a shorter period that <br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>is reasonable under the circumstances, if the landlord has not already paid for the service. <br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>In the case of oral notification, written notice shall be mailed or delivered to the landlord <br/>
<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>within 24 hours after oral notice is given.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>    (b) In the case of natural gas, or electricity, or water, if the landlord has not yet paid <br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>the bill by the time of the tenant's intended payment, or if the service remains discontinued, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>the tenant or tenants may pay the outstanding bill current charges for the most recent <br/>
<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>billing period, if and the utility company or municipality will must restore the service for <br/>
<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>at least one billing period.  In a residential building with less than five units, one of the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>tenants may notify the utility company or municipality that the tenant agrees to become <br/>
<a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>the bill payer responsible and customer of record and the utility company or municipality <br/>
<a id="pl.2.30"></a><var>2.30</var>must place the account disconnected or subject to disconnection in the tenant's name <br/>
<a id="pl.2.31"></a><var>2.31</var>and provide service prospectively, provided the tenant satisfies all requirements for <br/>
<a id="pl.2.32"></a><var>2.32</var>establishing service. A tenant becoming the customer of record of a cooperative electric <br/>
<a id="pl.2.33"></a><var>2.33</var>association does not acquire membership rights. Exercise of the right to pay the current <br/>
<a id="pl.2.34"></a><var>2.34</var>charges for the most recent billing period does not preclude exercising the right to become <br/>
<a id="pl.2.35"></a><var>2.35</var>the bill payer responsible and customer of record, provided that if there are multiple <br/>
<a id="pl.2.36"></a><var>2.36</var>tenants in an affected multifamily building, the utility company or municipality is not <br/>
<a id="pl.3.1"></a><var>3.1</var>required to offer the right to become the bill payer responsible and the customer of record <br/>
<a id="pl.3.2"></a><var>3.2</var>to more than one tenant in a 12-month period.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.3"></a><var>3.3</var>    (c) In the case of water, if the landlord has not paid the bill by the time of the tenant's <br/>
<a id="pl.3.4"></a><var>3.4</var>intended payment or if the service remains discontinued, upon request from a tenant, a <br/>
<a id="pl.3.5"></a><var>3.5</var>municipality must provide a copy of each bill the landlord fails to pay. The tenant: <br/>
<a id="pl.3.6"></a><var>3.6</var>    (1) has a continuing right to pay the current charges for the most recent billing <br/>
<a id="pl.3.7"></a><var>3.7</var>period and retain service;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.8"></a><var>3.8</var>    (2) has the period of time provided by the governing ordinance, policy, or practice <br/>
<a id="pl.3.9"></a><var>3.9</var>within which to pay the charges;<br/>
<a id="pl.3.10"></a><var>3.10</var>    (3) is not subject to any deposit requirements; and<br/>
<a id="pl.3.11"></a><var>3.11</var>    (4) is entitled to reasonable notice of any disconnection.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.12"></a><var>3.12</var>    This paragraph does not require a municipality to alter its accounting system or <br/>
<a id="pl.3.13"></a><var>3.13</var>billing records if the tenant exercises the right to pay current charges and retain water <br/>
<a id="pl.3.14"></a><var>3.14</var>service. If there are multiple tenants in an affected property, the municipality is not <br/>
<a id="pl.3.15"></a><var>3.15</var>required to offer the right to pay current charges and retain service to more than one <br/>
<a id="pl.3.16"></a><var>3.16</var>tenant in a 12-month period.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.17"></a><var>3.17</var>    (d) For purposes of this subdivision, "current charges" does not include arrears or <br/>
<a id="pl.3.18"></a><var>3.18</var>late payment fees incurred by the landlord.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.19"></a><var>3.19</var>    (c) (e) In a single-metered residential building, other residential tenants in the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.20"></a><var>3.20</var>building may contribute payments to the utility company or municipality on the account of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.21"></a><var>3.21</var>the tenant who is the customer of record under paragraph (b) or on the landlord's account <br/>
<a id="pl.3.22"></a><var>3.22</var>under paragraph (c). <br/>
<a id="pl.3.23"></a><var>3.23</var>    (f) A landlord who satisfies all requirements for reestablishing service, including <br/>
<a id="pl.3.24"></a><var>3.24</var>paying, or entering into an agreement acceptable to the utility company or municipality to <br/>
<a id="pl.3.25"></a><var>3.25</var>pay, all arrears and other lawful charges incurred by the landlord on the account that was <br/>
<a id="pl.3.26"></a><var>3.26</var>placed in the tenant's name, may reestablish service in the landlord's name.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.27"></a><var>3.27</var>    (g) This section does not restrict or prohibit a municipal utility provider from <br/>
<a id="pl.3.28"></a><var>3.28</var>exercising its authority pursuant to section 444.075, subdivisions 3 and 3e, to make <br/>
<a id="pl.3.29"></a><var>3.29</var>contracts with and impose utility charges against property owners and to certify unpaid <br/>
<a id="pl.3.30"></a><var>3.30</var>charges to the county auditor with taxes against the property served for collection as a tax.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.31"></a><var>3.31</var>    (h) In the case of home heating oil or propane, if the landlord has not yet paid the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.32"></a><var>3.32</var>bill by the time of the tenant's intended payment, or if the service remains discontinued, <br/>
<a id="pl.3.33"></a><var>3.33</var>the tenant or tenants may order and pay for one month's supply of the proper grade and <br/>
<a id="pl.3.34"></a><var>3.34</var>quality of oil or propane.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.35"></a><var>3.35</var>    (d) (i) After submitting receipts for documentation to the landlord of the tenant's <br/>
<a id="pl.3.36"></a><var>3.36</var>payment to the landlord utility company or municipality, a tenant may deduct the amount <br/>
<a id="pl.4.1"></a><var>4.1</var>of the tenant's payment to the utility company or municipality from the rental payment <br/>
<a id="pl.4.2"></a><var>4.2</var>next paid to the landlord. Any amount paid to the municipality, utility company, or other <br/>
<a id="pl.4.3"></a><var>4.3</var>company by a tenant under this subdivision is considered payment of rent to the landlord <br/>
<a id="pl.4.4"></a><var>4.4</var>for purposes of section 
         <statute_ref>504B.291</statute_ref>."<br/>
<a id="pl.4.5"></a><var>4.5</var>Delete the title and insert:<br/>

<a id="pl.4.8"></a><var>4.8</var>amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 504B.215, subdivisions 2, 3."<br/>
         		We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill.Senate Conferees: (Signed) Rick E. Olseen, Linda Higgins, Warren LimmerHouse Conferees: (Signed) Bob Gunther, Joe Mullery, Tom Tillberry
         <table>
<col width="50px"/>
<col width="252px"/>
<col width="42px"/>
<col width="252px"/>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.1"></a><var>5.1</var><br/>
</td>
<td colspan="3">We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill.<br/>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.2"></a><var>5.2</var><br/>
</td>
<td>Senate Conferees:<span width="2em"></span>(Signed)<br/>
</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.3"></a><var>5.3</var><br/>
</td>
<td><span>
                     							.....
                     						</span><br/>
</td>
<td></td>
<td><span>
                     							.....
                     						</span><br/>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.4"></a><var>5.4</var><br/>
</td>
<td>Rick E. Olseen<br/>
</td>
<td></td>
<td>Linda Higgins<br/>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.5"></a><var>5.5</var><br/>
</td>
<td><span>
                     							.....
                     						</span><br/>
</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.6"></a><var>5.6</var><br/>
</td>
<td>Warren Limmer<br/>
</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.7"></a><var>5.7</var><br/>
</td>
<td>House Conferees:<span width="2em"></span>(Signed)<br/>
</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.8"></a><var>5.8</var><br/>
</td>
<td><span>
                     							.....
                     						</span><br/>
</td>
<td></td>
<td><span>
                     							.....
                     						</span><br/>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.9"></a><var>5.9</var><br/>
</td>
<td>Bob Gunther<br/>
</td>
<td></td>
<td>Joe Mullery<br/>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.10"></a><var>5.10</var><br/>
</td>
<td><span>
                     							.....
                     						</span><br/>
</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><a id="pl.5.11"></a><var>5.11</var><br/>
</td>
<td>Tom Tillberry<br/>
</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</table>