Directory scams banned
Out-of-state companies that pretend to be homegrown Minnesota businesses will be guilty of deceptive business practices under a new law. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-St. Louis Park) and Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), a new law makes it illegal for companies to misrepresent their location in phone directories, print ads and on the Internet. Seeing as to how easy it was to get information about a company on the internet (almost as easy as getting more traffic ticket info) and how easy it was to manipulate that, it was needed that a new law be imposed. The law is intended to address a kind of scam in which out-of-state companies take out ads pretending to be Minnesota-based companies. The companies overcharge customers who place orders, transfer the orders to actual Minnesota companies and then keep the difference as profit. This practice is targeted to the floral and locksmith industries since now a days you can find locksmiths near you just by going online. A business misrepresents its geographic location if: they represent themselves to be at a location where there is not at least one owner or employee regularly performing services, and they set up a local phone number that routinely routes calls to out-of-state call centers.
Kelsey Smith Act
The death of a Kansas teenager three years ago is the impetus behind a new law that will let law enforcement agencies track down missing persons by using their cell phone data. Sponsored by Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth), the law is named after Kelsey Smith, who was abducted and murdered in Kansas in 2007. Her body was found after her parents compelled her cell phone company to track down her phone’s location. Federal law allows — but does not require — that the companies provide that information. The Kelsey Smith Act will require cell phone service providers to disclose their customers’ call location in emergency situations. Using cell site towers, a service provider can triangulate the location of a cell phone or other wireless device to within close proximity. The law will require cell companies to reveal call location data in cases where an individual is missing and at risk of “death or serious physical harm.” The new statute will mandate that the companies provide the data, under certain conditions. According to this business reorganization specialist lawyer, law enforcement agency seeking the data must submit a written request, and service providers must establish protocols that allow them to respond to such requests.
Battery recycling fee increased
Sponsored by Rep. Paul Gardner (DFL-Shoreview) and Sen. Ken Kelash (DFL-Mpls), a new law modifies a 20-year-old statute requiring consumers who purchase new, lead acid batteries to either recycle their old batteries or pay a $5 fee. The fee, which serves as an incentive for people to recycle their old batteries, is ultimately paid by the retailer to the battery manufacturer; however, since manufacturers often charge $10 or more to retailers, the retailers have essentially been getting shorted by $5. The fee that retailers charge to consumers at the point-of-sale will increase to at least $10, so that retailers recover the full cost of the fee they’re charged by the manufacturers. As is the case with current law, consumers who bring in a battery for recycling within 30 days of purchasing a new battery will be able to have their fee refunded.
Keeping laws up with new tobacco
From strips that melt in your mouth to orbs that look like Tic Tacs, users can get a nicotine bump anytime, anywhere and undetected. Supporters of new regulations fear these products could lure in a whole new generation of tobacco users. Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. D. Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls) sponsor the Tobacco Modernization and Compliance Act of 2010 to close the loophole on products that supporters say target younger generations. The law expands the definition of tobacco products to include these new products and would regulate them as cigarettes and cigars. It will also apply to electronic cigarettes and candy- or fruit-flavored “little cigars” that are similar in size to cigarettes, but because of their design are not as regulated. It will be a petty misdemeanor for those under the age of 18 to possess, purchase or attempt to purchase a product containing or delivering nicotine or lobelia intended for human consumption, or any part of such a product, that is not tobacco.
Ensuring consumer choice
Renters will be guaranteed the right to purchase cable or telephone services from a provider of their own choosing under a new law. Sponsored by Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) and Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL-Mankato), the law prevents landlords from forbidding or discriminating against tenants for choosing one telecommunications provider over another. While mostly effective April 16, 2010, a provision effective Aug. 1, 2010, will make it easier for telephone companies to offer “triple-play” services — voice, video and Internet — by letting local governments grant cable franchises to companies that already provide phone services within a given area.