SF 1208

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 02/11/2025 11:17 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to housing; requiring manufactured housing park owners to provide an
alternative method of payment in addition to digital payment platforms; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 327C.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [327C.065] PAYMENT OF RENT; DIGITAL PAYMENT PLATFORMS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin This section applies to park owners who require or permit
residents to use a digital payment platform to pay rent, fees, and other charges.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Alternative means of payment" means a method of payment other than the use of
a digital payment platform, and includes payment by check or cash.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Digital payment platform" means an electronic application or system that permits
a user to conduct financial transactions. Digital payment platform includes electronic funds
transfers.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Electronic funds transfers" means a transfer of funds, other than a transaction
originated by check, draft, or similar paper instrument, that is initiated through an electronic
terminal, telephone, computer, or magnetic tape for the purpose of ordering, instructing, or
authorizing a financial institution to debit or credit a consumer's account through the use of
an automated clearing house system or alternative payment system.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Form of payment. new text end

new text begin A park owner must offer each resident an alternative to
using a digital payment platform to pay rent, fees, or other charges. No fee may be charged
to a resident to use the digital payment platform or any alternative means of payment.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Digital payment platform. new text end

new text begin (a) The park owner must ensure that the following
information is readily viewable and accessible to the resident on the digital payment platform
or through a means that does not rely on the use of the digital payment platform:
new text end

new text begin (1) an itemized listing of all current information on the rent, fees, or other charges
assessed that correspond to the charges for which the resident is responsible, and all payment
received; and
new text end

new text begin (2) communications to date between the resident and the park owner related to the
payment of rent, fees, or other charges.
new text end

new text begin (b) A park owner must provide the resident with a telephone number to call if, for any
reason, the digital payment platform or a system used by the park owner to collect an
alternative means of payment is unavailable for use by the resident.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Adverse action prohibited. new text end

new text begin (a) A park owner is prohibited from taking any
adverse action, including filing an eviction action or assessing any late fees, when payment
of rent, fees, or other charges is not timely because the digital payment platform is out of
service or a system used by the park owner to collect an alternative means of payment is
unavailable.
new text end

new text begin (b) It is an affirmative defense to an eviction action brought based on nonpayment that
the park owner violated this section. Upon a showing that the park owner violated this
section, the court must dismiss the eviction action and award the resident reasonable attorney
fees and any other equitable relief the court deems appropriate.
new text end