Bill > SF1734

This bill establishes the Minnesota Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act, which creates a comprehensive process for addressing fraudulent business filings with the Secretary of State's Office. The legislation allows individuals who believe a business filing was made without authorization to submit a declaration of wrongful filing, which triggers an investigation process. When a declaration is filed, the Secretary of State must notify both the complainant and the alleged fraudulent filer, who then have specific timelines to respond. If a filing is ultimately deemed fraudulent, the Office can take actions such as marking the filing as unauthorized, redacting names and addresses, and effectively treating the filing as if it never existed. The bill also includes provisions for judicial review, allowing aggrieved parties to appeal final orders. Additionally, the legislation introduces requirements for solicitations related to business filings, mandating clear disclosure that such communications are advertisements and not official government documents. False statements in declarations or filings can be considered a violation of perjury laws, with potential misdemeanor penalties. The bill aims to protect businesses and individuals from unauthorized or deceptive business registrations by providing a structured mechanism for identifying and addressing fraudulent filings.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1734&ssn=0&y=2025