SF 559 Minnesota Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Certain restrictive covenants removal fees prohibition

This bill prohibits counties from charging fees when homeowners seek to remove discriminatory housing restrictions (like those based on race or religion) from property titles. It directly affects homeowners in Minnesota who need to clear outdated restrictive covenants from their property records. The key provision amends state law to require county recorders to accept the removal form without charging a fee, ensuring the process is cost-free. This change applies to covenants related to protected classes and takes effect upon final enactment.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Feb 3, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Feb 3, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment version, incorporating substantive changes to prohibit fees for recording forms that remove discriminatory restrictive covenants. The scope was expanded to amend two specific subdivisions of the statute rather than just one. Key changes include adding a fee prohibition for counties, updating the statutory form requirements, and providing the form at no cost to the public.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to amend Minnesota Statutes section 507.18, subdivisions 5 and 6, whereas the original version only referenced subdivision 5.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific prohibition preventing any county or political subdivision from charging fees to record the statutory form used to discharge restrictive covenants.

Modified the requirements for the county recorder to accept the discharge form, changing the language regarding recording fees to indicate they are no longer a condition for acceptance.

Added a new requirement that the commissioner of commerce must provide electronic copies of the statutory form to the public at no cost.

TECHNICAL

Added a new section (Section 2) that amends subdivision 6 of the statute to include the text of the statutory form and updated effective dates.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

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Key actions

Committee

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to Judiciary and Public Safety

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to Housing and Homelessness Prevention

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduction and first reading

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors