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
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Aric Putnam
DDemocratic-Farmer-Labor
Co
Judy Seeberger
DDemocratic-Farmer-Labor
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SF 1894
Scope: MN
Hi! I can help you understand SF 1894. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline