Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed into law Republican Representative Jeff Johnson's HF1298 bill. The new law, which takes effect on August 1 2006, penalizes underage gamers who buy video games carrying Mature (M) or Adults Only (AO) ratings with a $25 fine. However, convictions for this offense would not go on the child's record. The law also legally requires video game retail outlets to put up signs that explain the ESRB rating system. As expected, the Governor got "pawlenty" of flack from those who opposed the bill.

News of the passage of the new law triggered a swift and critical response from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) which announced plans to file a suit against the state. The group also issued a strongly worded statement saying they were "deeply disappointed" with the Minnesota legislature and Governor Pawlenty.

"We believe that SF 785 is unnecessary and will restrict the First Amendment rights of Minnesota’s citizens." ESA said. "We hope that sooner or later state legislators and candidates will stop trying to seek headlines by subverting the constitution and frittering away desperately needed taxpayer dollars and instead enter into a constructive partnership to educate parents about the tools available so they, not government, can raise their kids as they see fit and buy the games that are right for their unique families."

ESA is the trade association of the computer and video game industry in the US and counts most of the top video game publishers in the gaming world members including Activision, Atari, Buena Vista Games, Capcom, Crave Entertainment, Eidos Interactive, Electronic Arts, Her Interactive, id Software, Konami, LucasArts, Microsoft Corporation, Midway Games, Namco, Nintendo, NovaLogic, SEGA, Sony Computer Entertainment, Square Enix, Take Two Interactive, THQ, Ubisoft, Vivendi Universal Games, Warner Bros. Interactive and Wild Tangent.