SF 1734 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Minnesota Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act

The Minnesota Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act creates a process for reporting and removing fraudulent business filings. It allows a complainant (such as a business owner, employee, or person connected to a business) to submit a detailed report to the Secretary of State if they believe a filing was unauthorized and intended to alter business records or register a business using another person's identity. The Secretary of State notifies the business owner (filers) within 21 days to respond; if they fail to respond, the filing is automatically deemed fraudulent and removed. False statements in these reports are subject to criminal penalties under Minnesota law.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Last action Mar 24, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Mar 24, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its initial introduction to its first engrossment, reflecting amendments made during the legislative process. Key substantive changes include expanding the definition of fraudulent filings to cover modifications to business governance, clarifying that the office's fraud remedy is not exclusive and allowing direct court action, and restructuring data privacy rules to allow broader dissemination of information for investigations. Additionally, the definition of prohibited 'solicitation' was broadened from specific mail/email methods to any communication from a third party.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include 'governance' as a factor in fraudulent filings and to allow aggrieved parties to bypass the administrative process and go directly to district court.

DEFINITION

Added 'governance' to the list of business information that can be altered with fraudulent intent.

Broadened the definition of 'solicitation' from specific mail or email documents to any communication sent by a nongovernment third party.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that the administrative fraud remedy is not exclusive, permitting aggrieved parties to seek immediate action in district court.

Restructured data classification rules to explicitly permit the office to share data with the attorney general and other agencies for investigations.

Floor votes

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No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to State and Local Government

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Committee

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor