2006 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 8. ATTORNEY GENERAL

8.01 APPEARANCE.
The attorney general shall appear for the state in all causes in the supreme and federal courts
wherein the state is directly interested; also in all civil causes of like nature in all other courts of
the state whenever, in the attorney general's opinion, the interests of the state require it. Upon
request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases
as the attorney general deems proper. Upon request of a county attorney, the attorney general
may assume the duties of the county attorney in sexual psychopathic personality and sexually
dangerous person commitment proceedings under section 253B.185. Whenever the governor
shall so request, in writing, the attorney general shall prosecute any person charged with an
indictable offense, and in all such cases may attend upon the grand jury and exercise the powers
of a county attorney.
History: (109) 1905 c 227 s 1; 1973 c 90 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1992 c 571 art 3 s 1; 1Sp1994 c
1 art 2 s 1

8.02 DEPUTIES, ASSISTANTS.
    Subdivision 1. Appointment of deputies and assistants. The attorney general may appoint,
and at pleasure remove, six deputy attorneys general and 35 assistant attorneys general. The
appointees shall render such aid as is required of them in the discharge of the official duties
of the attorney general. To the extent authorized in writing by the attorney general, they shall
have authority to appear before grand juries or in any court of this state, as the attorney general
personally might do.
The attorney general shall have power to employ such assistance, whether lay, legal, or
expert, as the attorney general deems necessary for the protection of the interests of the state
through the proper conduct of its legal business.
    Subd. 2. Record keeping. The attorney general shall:
(1) keep a record of official correspondence and of all matters presented by the governor,
auditor, commissioner of finance, secretary of state, or any officer or board in charge of the
business of the state upon which any official action is necessary;
(2) keep a record of all legal proceedings that the attorney general's office institutes or
appears in and the several steps taken therein; and
(3) make official opinions in writing and file the opinions in the attorney general's office.
History: (110) 1905 c 227 s 2; 1911 c 56 s 1; 1917 c 61 s 1; 1919 c 272 s 1; 1931 c 211 s
1; 1973 c 492 s 14; 1973 c 720 s 68; 1975 c 156 s 1; 1977 c 172 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 335
s 1; 2003 c 112 art 2 s 50

8.023 [Repealed, 1977 c 172 s 3]

8.024 [Repealed, 1977 c 172 s 3]

8.025 PART-TIME SPECIAL ATTORNEYS, PAYMENT ON HOURLY BASIS.
No part-time special attorney assigned to any professional or occupational licensing board of
state government, after having received $10,000 for performing official duties in any fiscal year,
regardless of the fund from which the payment is made, shall be paid an hourly amount exceeding
the equivalent amount paid full-time special assistant attorneys general, plus reasonable office
expenses, as approved by the attorney general.
History: 1973 c 720 s 72; 1986 c 444

8.026 [Repealed, 1977 c 172 s 3]

8.03 PROSECUTIONS.
The attorney general shall cause to be prosecuted all assessors and other officials for
such delinquencies in connection with revenue laws as may become known; also all bonds of
officers and others upon which any liability to the state has accrued. When any corporation shall
have offended against the laws of the state, or misused, surrendered, abandoned, or forfeited
its corporate authority, or any of its franchises or privileges, the attorney general shall cause
proceedings to be instituted against it.
History: (111) 1905 c 227 s 3; 1986 c 444

8.04 PUBLIC LANDS.
The attorney general shall begin and prosecute actions against all persons claiming to own
any portion of the school or other public lands adversely to the state, whenever, in the attorney
general's opinion, an action can be sustained, and shall cause an appearance to be entered for the
state on learning of any application to preempt any such land. In case of any such application the
attorney general may require the county attorney of the county in which the same is made to enter
such appearance, and may cause witnesses to be subpoenaed, and take such other measures in the
premises as the public interests may require.
History: (112) 1905 c 227 s 4; 1986 c 444

8.05 FORMS PREPARED; OPINIONS.
The attorney general shall prepare forms for bonds and other contracts and instruments for
the use of state officials, boards, and commissions and give legal advice in all matters relating
to their official duties, whenever required by the governor, auditor, or secretary of state, or any
board or commission created by law. When required by either house of the legislature the attorney
general shall give a written opinion upon any question of law. The attorney general similarly shall
give a written opinion upon any question of law submitted by a permanent or interim committee or
commission of the legislature or of either house of the legislature, including but not limited to an
interim committee of the legislature created by law for a county containing a city of the first class.
History: (113) 1905 c 227 s 5; 1967 c 43 s 1; 1986 c 444; 2003 c 112 art 2 s 50

8.06 ATTORNEY FOR STATE OFFICERS, BOARDS, OR COMMISSIONS; EMPLOY
COUNSEL.
The attorney general shall act as the attorney for all state officers and all boards or
commissions created by law in all matters pertaining to their official duties. When requested by
the attorney general, it shall be the duty of any county attorney of the state to appear within the
county and act as attorney for any such board, commission, or officer in any court of such county.
The attorney general may, upon request in writing, employ, and fix the compensation of, a special
attorney for any such board, commission, or officer when, in the attorney general's judgment,
the public welfare will be promoted thereby. Such special attorney's fees or salary shall be paid
from the appropriation made for such board, commission, or officer. Except as herein provided,
no board, commission, or officer shall hereafter employ any attorney at the expense of the state.
Whenever the attorney general, the governor, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court shall
certify, in writing, filed in the Office of the Secretary of State, that it is necessary, in the proper
conduct of the legal business of the state, either civil or criminal, that the state employ additional
counsel, the attorney general shall thereupon be authorized to employ such counsel and, with
the governor and the chief justice, fix the additional counsel's compensation. The governor, if in
the governor's opinion the public interest requires such action, may employ counsel to act in any
action or proceeding if the attorney general is in any way interested adversely to the state. Except
as herein stated, no additional counsel shall be employed and the legal business of the state shall
be performed exclusively by the attorney general and the attorney general's assistants.
History: (114) 1905 c 227 s 6; 1911 c 56 s 2; 1955 c 861 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1991 c 345 art 1 s
42; 1994 c 636 art 10 s 1; 1Sp2003 c 1 art 2 s 17

8.065 PRIVATE ATTORNEY CONTRACTS.
The attorney general may not enter into a contract for legal services in which the fees and
expenses paid by the state exceed, or can reasonably be expected to exceed, $1,000,000 unless the
attorney general first submits the proposed contract to the Legislative Advisory Commission, and
waits at least 20 days to receive a possible recommendation from the commission.
History: 2005 c 156 art 2 s 5

8.07 OPINIONS; COUNTY, CITY, TOWN, PUBLIC PENSION FUND, SCHOOL
ATTORNEYS, COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION.
The attorney general on application shall give an opinion, in writing, to county, city, town,
public pension fund attorneys, or the attorneys for the board of a school district or unorganized
territory on questions of public importance; and on application of the commissioner of education
shall give an opinion, in writing, upon any question arising under the laws relating to public
schools. On all school matters such opinion shall be decisive until the question involved shall be
decided otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction.
History: (115) 1905 c 227 s 7; 1971 c 67 s 1; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 372
art 10 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 2003 c 130 s 12

8.08 REPORT.
The attorney general shall report to the governor biennially on or before October 1 of each
even-numbered year the number, character, and result of all actions and proceedings in which
the attorney general has appeared for the state, the expense incurred by the state in each, and
the amount of fines, penalties, and other money collected; also the opinions of general interest
given by the attorney general's office since the preceding report, with such recommendations for
amendment of the laws as the attorney general may deem necessary or proper, and tables shall be
appended showing the offenses reported to the attorney general by county attorneys.
History: (116) 1905 c 227 s 8; 1955 c 847 s 2; 1986 c 444

8.09 PROSECUTION, CLAIMS OF STATE AGAINST UNITED STATES; AGREEMENTS
WITH ATTORNEYS.
The attorney general is hereby empowered, authorized, and directed to retain attorneys to
take exclusive charge of prosecuting, collecting, and recovering from the United States any such
claim which may be developed, and to prosecute, at their own expense, any claim before such
tribunal of the government as may be deemed best for the interests of the state, detailed reports to
be made, from time to time and whenever requested by the attorney general, of the progress of
prosecution of any claim; provided, that no composition of any claim shall be concluded without
the written approval of the attorney general.
History: (116-1) 1927 c 315 s 1

8.10 COMPENSATION OF ATTORNEYS.
The compensation of these attorneys for this service shall be 25 percent of the sums and
amounts collected and received by the state, such compensation to be contingent upon collection
and payment thereof to the state, with no further liability on the part of the state, and the amount
of such compensation is hereby appropriated, payable upon the certificate of the attorney general
filed with the commissioner of finance.
History: (116-2) 1927 c 315 s 2; 1973 c 492 s 14

8.11 BRINGING ACTION TO RECOVER ON BONDS.
The attorney general is hereby authorized, with the approval of the governor, to commence
any action or proceeding, in the name of the state, to recover upon any bonds or obligations of any
other state of the United States which may now or hereafter be held or owned by the state, or
any of its boards or departments, and upon any bonds held in any sinking fund or guaranty funds
deposited or pledged with the state by trust companies, banks, fidelity or insurance companies, or
held by the commissioner of commerce as liquidator.
History: (116-3) 1933 c 399 s 1; 1983 c 289 s 114 subd 1; 1984 c 655 art 1 s 92

8.12 SOLICITOR GENERAL; DUTIES.
There shall be in the Office of the Attorney General a solicitor general who shall be appointed
by the attorney general from within the limitations of the authorized staff, and who shall perform
such duties in the place and stead of the attorney general as may lawfully be assigned.
History: 1955 c 320 s 1; 1961 c 561 s 3; 1986 c 444

8.13 CONTEST OF BARRIERS ON DAIRY PRODUCTS.
The attorney general is authorized to take such action as the attorney general deems necessary
in order to contest or oppose existing statutes, ordinances, rules, orders or other trade barriers
which may restrict the sale in other states of milk or other dairy products produced in Minnesota;
to study and investigate problems concerning the free movement of milk and other dairy products
in interstate commerce and to present the results thereof to such legislative and executive agencies
of the federal government and the several states, such studies, investigations and presentations to
executive and legislative agencies to be made either individually or jointly with others.
History: 1955 c 840 s 1; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 444

8.14 ACTIONS CHALLENGING STATE EXPENDITURES; INTERVENTION.
In any action in which the state of Minnesota or any of its officers is a party and the amount
of state expenditures for a particular purpose is challenged on the ground that the expenditure is
insufficient to enable the state or any of its agencies to comply with the alleged requirements of
the Constitution of the United States or of federal law, the attorney general shall petition on behalf
of and provide representation for (1) an individual taxpayer, who as an authorized representative
of a particular class of recipients or beneficiaries of significant state appropriations, has requested
the representation or (2) any other state agency that wishes to intervene in the action. The attorney
general shall oppose any attempt to require the state to expend money for any purpose in excess
of the amounts appropriated for that purpose by law.
History: 1975 c 434 s 28

8.15 ATTORNEY GENERAL COSTS.
    Subdivision 1. Fee schedules. The attorney general in consultation with the commissioner
of finance shall develop a fee schedule to be used by the attorney general in developing the
agreements authorized in subdivision 3. The attorney general must submit a billing rate for the
next biennium to the commissioner of finance by August 1 of each even-numbered year.
The attorney general may not assess a county any fee for legal services rendered in
connection with a commitment proceeding under section 253B.185 for which the attorney general
assumes responsibility under section 8.01.
    Subd. 2. Biennial budget request. (a) The attorney general in consultation with the
commissioner of finance shall designate which agencies will have their legal service requests
included in the budget request of the attorney general.
(b) All other agencies, in consultation with the attorney general and the commissioner of
finance, shall include a request for legal services in their biennial budget requests.
(c) The budget request of the attorney general must include a consolidated listing that shows
on one page all the appropriations that will be used to support the Office of the Attorney General
and the Finance Division from which they will be requested.
    Subd. 3. Agreements. (a) To facilitate the delivery of legal services, the attorney general may:
(1) enter into agreements with executive branch agencies, political subdivisions, or
quasi-state agencies to provide legal services for the benefit of the citizens of Minnesota; and
(2) in addition to funds otherwise appropriated by the legislature, accept and spend funds
received under any agreement authorized in clause (1) for the purpose set forth in clause (1),
subject to a report of receipts to the chairs of the senate Finance Committee and the house Ways
and Means Committee by October 15 each year.
(b) When entering into an agreement for legal services, the attorney general must notify
the committees responsible for funding the Office of the Attorney General. When the attorney
general enters into an agreement with a state agency, the attorney general must also notify the
committees responsible for funding that agency.
Funds received under this subdivision must be deposited in the general fund and are
appropriated to the attorney general for the purposes set forth in this subdivision.
    Subd. 4. Reports. The attorney general shall prepare an annual expenditure report describing
actual expenditures for each agency or political subdivision receiving legal services. The report
shall describe:
(1) estimated and actual expenditures, including expenditures authorized through agreements;
(2) the type of services provided; and
(3) major current and future legal issues.
The report shall be submitted to the chairs of the senate Finance Committee and the house Ways
and Means Committee by October 15 each year.
    Subd. 5. Reimbursements. State agencies receiving legal services from the attorney general
for nongeneral funded activities shall reimburse the full cost of those services to the general
fund based on periodic billings prepared by the attorney general. Payment must be made to the
attorney general for deposit to the general fund as a nondedicated receipt. The attorney general,
in consultation with the commissioner of finance, shall develop reimbursement policies and
procedures related to legal services.
History: 1Sp1985 c 13 s 75; 1987 c 404 s 69; 1988 c 686 art 1 s 39; 1989 c 335 art 1 s 56;
1991 c 345 art 1 s 43; 1992 c 571 art 3 s 2; 1993 c 192 s 36; 1994 c 636 art 10 s 2; 1Sp1994 c 1
art 2 s 2; 1996 c 390 s 9; 1999 c 250 art 1 s 38-40

8.16 ATTORNEY GENERAL; ADMINISTRATIVE SUBPOENAS.
    Subdivision 1. Authority. The attorney general, or any deputy, assistant, or special assistant
attorney general whom the attorney general authorizes in writing, has the authority in any county
of the state to subpoena and require the production of any records of telephone companies,
cellular phone companies, paging companies, subscribers of private computer networks including
Internet service providers or computer bulletin board systems, electric companies, gas companies,
water utilities, chemical suppliers, hotels and motels, pawn shops, airlines, buses, taxis, and other
entities engaged in the business of transporting people, and freight companies, self-service storage
facilities, warehousing companies, package delivery companies, and other entities engaged in
the businesses of transport, storage, or delivery, and records of the existence of safe deposit box
account numbers and customer savings and checking account numbers maintained by financial
institutions and safe deposit companies. Subpoenas may only be issued for records that are
relevant to an ongoing legitimate law enforcement investigation.
    Subd. 1a. Subpoenas. The attorney general may in any county of the state subpoena and
require the production of any records relating to the location of a debtor or the assets of a debtor,
as that term is defined in section 16D.02, subdivision 4. Subpoenas may be issued only for
records that are relevant to an investigation related to debt collection and exclude the power to
subpoena personal appearance of witnesses unless the attorney general is so authorized by other
statute or court rule.
    Subd. 2. Enforcement. The subpoena shall be enforceable through the district court.
    Subd. 3. Expenses. The person directed to produce the records must be paid reasonable
expenses incurred in producing the records.
    Subd. 4. Disclosure prohibited. The subpoena must state that the person to whom the
subpoena is directed may not disclose the fact that the subpoena was issued or the fact that the
requested records have been produced except:
(1) insofar as the disclosure is necessary to find and disclose the records; or
(2) pursuant to court order.
    Subd. 5. Penalty. The willful failure to produce the documents required by the subpoena is
a misdemeanor.
    Subd. 6. Ex parte order. Upon the ex parte request of the attorney issuing the subpoena, the
district court may issue an order directing the production of the records. It is not necessary for
either the request or the order to be filed with the court administrator. Failure to comply with the
court order subjects the person who fails to comply to civil or criminal contempt of court, or both.
History: 1989 c 336 art 2 s 1; 1993 c 326 art 7 s 1; 1995 c 254 art 5 s 1; 2001 c 197 s 1

8.20 DELEGATION OF CONTRACT REVIEW.
The attorney general may delegate the power to approve contracts as to form and execution
to any state official if it is determined that the delegation will produce a significant, demonstrable
improvement in the efficiency or operation of state government. The attorney general may
condition the delegation as the attorney general determines to be necessary to protect the interests
of the state.
History: 1987 c 335 s 2

8.30 COMPROMISE OF TAX AND FEE CLAIMS.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the attorney general shall have
authority to compromise taxes, fees, surcharges, assessments, penalties, and interest in all cases,
whether reduced to judgment or not, where the debt is being reduced by an amount exceeding
$50,000 and, in the attorney general's opinion, it shall be in the best interests of the state to do so.
Such a compromise must be in a form prescribed by the attorney general and shall be in writing
signed by the attorney general, the taxpayer or taxpayer's representative, and the commissioner of
revenue. Compromises of such debts in cases where the debt is being reduced by an amount of
$50,000 or less are governed by section 16D.15.
History: 1969 c 230 s 1; 1973 c 582 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1997 c 84 art 6 s 1; 2000 c 490 art 13
s 1; 2003 c 127 art 14 s 1

8.31 ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF ATTORNEY GENERAL.
    Subdivision 1. Investigate offenses against the provisions of certain designated sections;
assist in enforcement. The attorney general shall investigate violations of the law of this state
respecting unfair, discriminatory, and other unlawful practices in business, commerce, or trade, and
specifically, but not exclusively, the Nonprofit Corporation Act (sections 317A.001 to 317A.909),
the Act Against Unfair Discrimination and Competition (sections 325D.01 to 325D.07), the
Unlawful Trade Practices Act (sections 325D.09 to 325D.16), the Antitrust Act (sections
325D.49 to 325D.66), section 325F.67 and other laws against false or fraudulent advertising, the
antidiscrimination acts contained in section 325D.67, the act against monopolization of food
products (section 325D.68), the act regulating telephone advertising services (section 325E.39),
the Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act (sections 325F.68 to 325F.70), and chapter 53A regulating
currency exchanges and assist in the enforcement of those laws as in this section provided.
    Subd. 2. Attorney general to assist in discovery and punishment of illegal practices.
When the attorney general has information providing a reasonable ground to believe that any
person has violated, or is about to violate, any of the laws of this state referred to in subdivision 1,
the attorney general shall have power to investigate those violations, or suspected violations, and
to take such steps as are necessary to cause the arrest and prosecution of all persons violating
any of the statutes specifically mentioned in subdivision 1 or any other laws respecting unfair,
discriminatory, or other unlawful practices in business, commerce, or trade. In connection with
investigation under this section the attorney general upon specifying the nature of the violation
or suspected violation may obtain discovery from any person regarding any matter, fact or
circumstance, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending
investigation, in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision. The discovery may be
obtained without commencement of a civil action and without leave of court, except as expressly
required by the provisions of subdivision 2a. The applicable protective provisions of rules 26.02,
26.03, and 30.04 of the Rules of Civil Procedure for the district courts shall apply to any discovery
procedures instituted pursuant to this section. The attorney general or any person to whom
discovery is directed may apply to and obtain leave of the district court in order to reduce or extend
the time requirements of this subdivision, and upon a showing of good cause the district court
shall order such a reduction or extension. In order to obtain discovery, the attorney general may:
(a) Serve written interrogatories on any person. Within 20 days after service of
interrogatories, separate written answers and objections to each interrogatory shall be mailed to
the attorney general.
(b) Upon reasonable written notice of no less than 15 days, require any person to produce for
inspection and copying any documents, papers, books, accounts, letters, photographs, objects, or
tangible things which are in the possession, custody, or control of that person.
(c) Upon reasonable written notice of no less than 15 days, take the testimony of any
person by deposition as to any fact or opinion relevant to the subject matter involved in the
pending investigation.
For the purposes of this subdivision the term "person" has the meaning specified in section
325F.68.
    Subd. 2a. Failure to comply. If any person fails or refuses to answer interrogatories, to
produce materials, or to be examined under oath, as required by the provisions of subdivision 2,
the attorney general may apply to a district court, upon notice, and the court, on a showing by the
attorney general of cause therefor, may issue such order as may be required to compel compliance
with the discovery procedures authorized by this section.
    Subd. 2b. Assurance of discontinuance. The attorney general may accept an assurance of
discontinuance of any act or practice the attorney general deems to be in violation of the laws
referred to in subdivision 1 from any person the attorney general alleges is engaging in, or has
engaged in, the act or practice. The assurance may include a stipulation for the performance,
provision or payment by the alleged violator of any remedies allowable under this section. Any
assurance shall be in writing and shall be filed with and subject to the approval of the district
court of the county in which the alleged violator resides or has a principal place of business or
in Ramsey County. An assurance shall not be considered an admission of a violation for any
purpose. Failure to comply with the assurance of discontinuance shall be punishable as contempt.
For the purposes of this subdivision the term "person" has the meaning specified in section
325F.68.
    Subd. 2c. Undistributed money to general fund. If a court of competent jurisdiction finds
that a sum recovered under this section for the benefit of injured persons cannot reasonably be
distributed to the victims, because the victims cannot readily be located or identified, or because
the cost of distributing the money would outweigh the benefit to the victims, then the court may
order that the money be paid into the general fund. All sums recovered must be deposited into the
state treasury and credited to the general fund.
    Subd. 3. Injunctive relief. In addition to the penalties provided by law for violation of the
laws referred to in subdivision 1, specifically and generally, whether or not injunctive relief is
otherwise provided by law, the courts of this state are vested with jurisdiction to prevent and
restrain violations of those laws, to require the payment of civil penalties, to require payment
into the general fund, and to appoint administrators as provided in subdivision 3c. On becoming
satisfied that any of those laws has been or is being violated, or is about to be violated, the
attorney general shall be entitled, on behalf of the state; (a) to sue for and have injunctive relief in
any court of competent jurisdiction against any such violation or threatened violation without
abridging the penalties provided by law; and (b) to sue for and recover for the state, from any
person who is found to have violated any of the laws referred to in subdivision 1, a civil penalty,
in an amount to be determined by the court, not in excess of $25,000. All sums recovered by the
attorney general under this section shall be deposited in the general fund.
    Subd. 3a. Private remedies. In addition to the remedies otherwise provided by law,
any person injured by a violation of any of the laws referred to in subdivision 1 may bring a
civil action and recover damages, together with costs and disbursements, including costs of
investigation and reasonable attorney's fees, and receive other equitable relief as determined by
the court. The court may, as appropriate, enter a consent judgment or decree without the finding of
illegality. In any action brought by the attorney general pursuant to this section, the court may
award any of the remedies allowable under this subdivision.
    Subd. 3b. Orders and judgments prima facie evidence. Any permanent injunction,
judgment or order of the court made pursuant to subdivision 3 shall be prima facie evidence in an
action brought under subdivision 3a that the defendant used or employed an act or practice in
violation of the laws referred to in subdivision 1, provided that this subdivision shall not apply to
consent judgments or decrees where the court makes no finding of illegality, including assurances
of discontinuance pursuant to subdivision 2b.
    Subd. 3c. Administrators. The courts of this state are vested with jurisdiction to appoint an
administrator in actions brought by the attorney general under this section, for purposes of (1)
monitoring, maintaining, or winding up the affairs of a business, or (2) collecting, administering,
and distributing judgments obtained by the attorney general for the benefit of persons. Upon
the order of a court having jurisdiction over the matter, reasonable fees and expenses may
be paid to the administrator out of any sums recovered under this section or administered by
the administrator.
    Subd. 4.[Repealed, 1983 c 290 s 173; 1983 c 301 s 235]
History: 1947 c 587 s 8; 1957 c 821 s 10; 1965 c 51 s 70; 1967 c 302 s 1; 1969 c 6 s 41;
1973 c 35 s 50; 1973 c 155 s 1-5; 1974 c 524 s 2-8; 1980 c 509 s 125; 1985 c 248 s 2; 1986 c 444;
1987 c 366 s 1-4; 1987 c 384 art 2 s 2; 1989 c 304 s 129; 1989 c 335 art 4 s 5,6; 1992 c 377
s 1; 1992 c 504 s 1; 1996 c 305 art 1 s 139

8.32 CONSUMER AFFAIRS.
    Subdivision 1. Generally. The attorney general has the responsibilities and duties prescribed
by this section.
    Subd. 2. Duties. The attorney general shall:
(a) enforce the provisions of law relating to consumer fraud and unlawful practices in
connection therewith as set forth in sections 325F.68 and 325F.69;
(b) enforce the provisions of law set forth in sections 80D.19 and 80D.20 and Laws 1984,
chapter 641, section 9;
(c) make recommendations to the governor and the legislature for statutory needs that exist
in adequately protecting the consumer.
History: 1969 c 1129 art 4 s 4; 1973 c 513 s 1; 1978 c 746 s 1; 1983 c 216 art 1 s 13; 1983 c
289 s 23,24,114 subd 2; 1984 c 641 s 1; 1Sp1986 c 3 art 1 s 1

8.33 REPRESENTATION OF CONSUMER AND SMALL BUSINESS INTEREST IN
PUBLIC UTILITY MATTERS.
    Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the
meanings given them:
(1) "Public utility" means a publicly or privately owned entity engaged in supplying utility
services to residential utility consumers in this state or to another public utility for ultimate
distribution to residential utility consumers in this state and whose rates or charges are subject to
approval by the Public Utilities Commission or an agency of the federal government. No municipal
or cooperative utility shall be considered a "public utility" for the purposes of this clause.
(2) "Residential and small business utility consumer" or "consumer" means a person or
small business that uses utility services at the person's residence or business location in this state
and who is billed by or pays a public utility for these services. Small business has the meaning
given it in section 645.445.
(3) "Utility services" means electricity, natural gas, or telephone services distributed to
residential utility consumers by a public utility.
    Subd. 2. Duties. The attorney general is responsible for representing and furthering the
interests of residential and small business utility consumers through participation in matters
before the Public Utilities Commission involving utility rates and adequacy of utility services to
residential or small business utility consumers. The attorney general shall expend a reasonable
portion of effort among all three kinds of utility services and shall identify and promote the
needs of each class of residential and small business consumers with respect to each of the
utility services. When participating in telecommunication matters that affect deployment of the
infrastructure, the attorney general may apply the goals of:
(1) achieving economically efficient investment in:
(i) higher speed telecommunication services; and
(ii) greater capacity for voice, video, and data transmission; and
(2) just and reasonable rates.
    Subd. 3. Right of intervention. Subject to the limitations of subdivision 2, the attorney
general may intervene as of right or participate as an interested party in matters pending before
the Public Utilities Commission which affect the distribution by a public utility of utility services
to residential or small business utility consumers. The right of the attorney general to participate
or intervene does not affect the obligation of the Public Utilities Commission to protect the
public interest.
    Subd. 4. Notice; procedures. The Public Utilities Commission shall give reasonable notice
to the attorney general of any matter scheduled to come before the commission affecting a public
utility's rates or adequacy of services to residential or small business utility consumers. Rules of
the commission governing procedures before the commission apply to the attorney general and
the attorney general's employees or representatives. The attorney general has the same rights and
privileges accorded other intervenors or participants in matters pending before the commission.
    Subd. 5. Appeals. The attorney general has an interest sufficient to maintain, intervene as of
right in, or otherwise participate in any civil action in the courts of this state for the review or
enforcement of any Public Utilities Commission action which affects a public utility's rates or
adequacy of service to residential or small business utility consumers.
    Subd. 6. Intervention in federal proceedings. The attorney general shall represent and
further the interests of residential and small business utility consumers through participation as an
intervenor or interested party in federal proceedings relating to the regulation of: (a) wholesale
rates for energy delivered through interstate facilities; or (b) fuel used in generation of electricity
or the manufacture of gas. The attorney general may maintain, intervene in, or otherwise
participate in civil actions relating to the federal proceedings.
    Subd. 7. Additional powers. The power granted by this section is in addition to powers
otherwise provided by law to the attorney general.
History: 1978 c 746 s 2; 1980 c 579 s 2; 1980 c 614 s 123; 1983 c 247 s 24; 1983 c 289 s
25-31,114 subd 2; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 241 s 1; 1997 c 223 s 1

8.34 BIAS-MOTIVATED CRIME PROSECUTION TRAINING.
    Subdivision 1. Definition. For the purposes of this section, "prosecuting attorney" means a
political subdivision's elected or appointed county and city attorney and any of that attorney's
assistants who have criminal prosecution responsibility for bias-motivated crimes.
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 1994 c 636 art 4 s 41]
    Subd. 3. Records of attendance. The head of every agency that employs prosecuting
attorneys shall maintain records of the number of prosecuting attorneys who have attended the
bias-motivated crimes prosecution course and the number of those who have not. The agency
head shall report annually to the attorney general on these attendance and nonattendance figures.
History: 1990 c 459 s 1

8.35 PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
The attorney general, in consultation with the commissioner of human services, may
establish a public service campaign designed to educate the public about the necessity of the
payment of child support to the well-being of the state's children and taxpayers. The commissioner
shall enter into a contract with the attorney general pursuant to Laws 1994, chapter 630, article 11,
section 24, subdivision 2, for implementation of the campaign. The campaign may include public
service announcements for broadcast through television, radio, and billboard media.
History: 1994 c 630 art 11 s 1

8.36 [Repealed, 1995 c 226 art 3 s 64]