Washington, DC — In response to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signing HF 3438 into law — the first of 13 proposed state-level junk fee bans to become law this year, and the second comprehensive ban on deceptive, mandatory junk fees to ever become state law — the American Economic Liberties Project released the following statement.

“With the signing of this bill into law, junk fees will officially become a thing of the past in Minnesota, making the state a national leader in the movement to eliminate deceptive corporate pricing tactics ” said Pat Garofalo, Director of State and Local Policy at the American Economic Liberties Project. “This is an unambiguous victory for consumers and honest businesses, and a watershed moment for effective governing in the public interest. 85 percent of likely Minnesota voters from across the political spectrum supported this legislation to ban deceptive, mandatory fees, which multiple studies have shown not only waste time, but lead customers to spend thousands of dollars more every year than they would otherwise.”

“By pushing this bill across the finish line, Sen. Lindsey Port, Rep. Emma Greenman, and so many on-the-ground advocates have delivered an inspiring example of how government can improve lives when legislators refuse to be cowed by bad-faith lobbying, and choose action to address clearly deceptive actions by dominant corporations,” Garofalo added. “We look forward to more states following Minnesota’s example in the weeks, months, and years to come.”

Learn more about Economic Liberties’ “End Junk Fees” campaign here.

Learn more about Economic Liberties here.