Bill > HF34

This bill strengthens Minnesota's antitrust and consumer protection laws by expanding definitions and penalties related to monopoly and monopsony power, and introducing new provisions to prevent price gouging and price discrimination. The bill defines "monopoly power" as the ability to control prices or exclude competition, and "monopsony" as a market condition with only one buyer. It makes it unlawful to establish, maintain, or use monopoly or monopsony power to affect competition or control prices, and clarifies that procompetitive effects do not offset competitive harm. The legislation increases civil penalties for violations, with penalties scaled based on a corporation's annual revenue (ranging from $100,000 to $5,000,000 per violation), and maintains criminal penalties including fines up to $50,000 and potential imprisonment. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions prohibiting unconscionably excessive prices during emergencies, defining such prices as more than 10% above recent average prices, and establishes restrictions on price discrimination that could lessen competition or create monopolistic market conditions. The bill also repeals an existing statute on discrimination, replacing it with more comprehensive language and enforcement mechanisms.

Business and Industry

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0034&ssn=0&y=2025