Minnesota Senate Bill SF4182

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/5/26
• Refer: 3/5/26

Caption

Local moratoriums permission on evictions based on nonpayment of rent

Summary

SF4182 would authorize Minnesota municipalities to temporarily prohibit the filing of eviction actions for nonpayment of rent when a public safety threat, natural disaster, or humanitarian purpose exists. The authority would be exercised by local ordinance or rule and would be limited to a period of up to 90 days. The bill creates a new section in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 504B, which governs landlord and tenant law. The measure is framed as a local emergency-response tool, allowing cities and other municipalities to pause eviction filings during extraordinary circumstances. It does not eliminate rent obligations or broadly change landlord-tenant rights statewide; rather, it gives local governments discretion to impose a temporary filing moratorium in defined situations.

Impact

The bill would add a new statutory provision, Minnesota Statutes section 504B.372, expressly permitting local governments to suspend the filing of eviction actions based on nonpayment of rent for up to 90 days during specified emergencies or humanitarian situations. It would override conflicting provisions in sections 504B.281 to 504B.371 to the extent necessary to allow the moratorium. The practical effect would be to expand municipal authority in landlord-tenant matters and temporarily limit landlords’ ability to initiate eviction proceedings for nonpayment in affected jurisdictions.

Sentiment

Available context shows the bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, but there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials. As a result, there is no documented floor or committee sentiment to assess. Based on the bill text alone, the proposal appears to be a targeted tenant-protection measure intended for emergency circumstances, but the legislative record provided does not show support or opposition.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the balance between local emergency powers and landlords’ rights to pursue eviction for nonpayment of rent. Supporters would likely view the bill as a humane, flexible response to disasters or public safety crises, while opponents may argue that it interferes with contract enforcement, rental income, and housing market stability. Another possible issue is the breadth of the trigger language—especially the inclusion of “humanitarian purposes,” which could be seen as giving municipalities broad discretion to impose moratoriums.