SF 1894 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Veteran benefit services fees written agreements requirement provision, veterans benefit services providers prohibited from making a guarantee of veterans benefit provision, and Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act remedies provision

This bill requires veterans benefit service providers (who charge fees) to be federally accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and to provide written fee agreements complying with federal rules. It prohibits providers from guaranteeing specific benefits (like exact payment amounts or approval rates) to veterans or their families. Providers must also give clients a written disclosure statement explaining free services available through county veterans service officers before charging fees. Violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per offense, with fines deposited into a "Support Our Troops" account.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Mar 24, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

1st Engrossment 2nd Engrossment · 3 edits · Mar 24, 2025
MINOR
The bill was updated from the 1st to the 2nd Engrossment, reflecting a revision in the legislative process. The most significant substantive change is the enforcement mechanism for violations: penalties are now treated as 'unlawful practices' under the Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act, allowing for broader remedies and directing recovered funds to the Support Our Troops account.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding enforcement mechanisms was expanded by linking violations to the state's consumer fraud laws.
ENFORCEMENT

Changed the penalty framework from a specific $1,000 fine per violation to a general 'unlawful practice' under the Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act, which may allow for different or additional remedies.

FISCAL

Clarified that any civil penalties recovered under the new enforcement mechanism must be deposited into the Support Our Troops account.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document title and posting date to reflect the transition from the 1st to the 2nd Engrossment.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public Safety
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors