1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to liquor; authorizing various municipalities to issue liquor licenses;
1.3 modifying certain requirements of liquor licenses issued to the Board of Regents
1.4 of the University of Minnesota; modifying wine transfer provisions; establishing
1.5 a social district license; establishing a food truck license pilot program; amending
1.6 Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 340A.404, subdivisions 2b, 4a; 340A.412,
1.7 subdivision 4; 340A.417; Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 4, article 5,
1.8 section 12; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 340A.
1.9BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.10 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 340A.404, subdivision 2b, is amended to
1.11read:
1.12 Subd. 2b.Special provision; city of St. Paul.(a) The city of St. Paul may issue an
1.13on-sale intoxicating liquor license to the Fitzgerald Theatre, the Great American History
1.14Theater at 30 East 10th Street, and the Brave New Workshop at the Palace Theater at 17
1.15West Seventh Place, notwithstanding the limitations of law, or local ordinance, or charter
1.16provision relating to zoning or school or church distances. The license authorizes sales on
1.17all days of the week to holders of tickets for performances presented by the theatre and to
1.18members of the nonprofit corporation holding the license and to their guests.
1.19 (b) Notwithstanding any other law, local ordinance, or charter provision, the city of St.
1.20Paul may issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license to the Science Museum of Minnesota,
1.21or its concessionaire or operator, for use on the premises of the Science Museum of Minnesota
1.22at 120 West Kellogg Boulevard. The license authorizes sales on all days of the week.
1.23 (c) Notwithstanding any other law, local ordinance, or charter provision, the city of St.
1.24Paul may issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license to the Union Depot, or its concessionaire
1Section 1.
S2511-1 1st EngrossmentSF2511 REVISOR JSK
SENATE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
S.F. No. 2511NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
(SENATE AUTHORS: KLEIN)
OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE
Introduction and first reading76403/13/2025
Referred to Commerce and Consumer Protection
Comm report: To pass as amended03/24/2025
Second reading 2.1or operator, for use on the premises of the Union Depot at 214 Fourth Street East. The
2.2license authorizes sales on all days of the week.
2.3 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon approval by the St. Paul City
2.4Council and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021.
2.5 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 340A.404, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
2.6 Subd. 4a.Publicly owned recreation; entertainment facilities.(a) Notwithstanding
2.7any other law, local ordinance, or charter provision, the commissioner may issue on-sale
2.8intoxicating liquor licenses:
2.9 (1) to the state agency administratively responsible for, or to an entity holding a
2.10concession or facility management contract with such agency for beverage sales at, the
2.11premises of any Giants Ridge Recreation Area building or recreational improvement area
2.12owned by the state in the city of Biwabik, St. Louis County;
2.13 (2) to the state agency administratively responsible for, or to an entity holding a
2.14concession or facility management contract with such agency for beverage sales at, the
2.15premises of any Ironworld Discovery Center building or facility owned by the state at
2.16Chisholm;
2.17 (3) to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota or to an entity holding a
2.18concessions contract with the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota for events
2.19at Northrop Auditorium, the intercollegiate football stadium, including any games played
2.20by the Minnesota Vikings at the stadium, and at no more than seven for other locations
2.21within the boundaries of the University of Minnesota that are described in the approved
2.22license applications, provided that the Board of Regents has approved an application for a
2.23license for the specified location and provided that a license for an intercollegiate football
2.24stadium is void unless it meets the conditions of paragraph (b). Licenses may be issued for
2.25space that is not compact and contiguous, provided that all space is included in the description
2.26of the licensed premises on the approved license applications. It is solely within the discretion
2.27of the Board of Regents to choose the manner in which to carry out these conditions
2.28consistent with the requirements of paragraph (b); and
2.29 (4) to the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Authority for beverage sales on
2.30the premises of the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Arena during intercollegiate
2.31hockey games.
2.32 The commissioner shall charge a fee for licenses issued under this subdivision in an
2.33amount comparable to the fee for comparable licenses issued in surrounding cities.
2Sec. 2.
S2511-1 1st EngrossmentSF2511 REVISOR JSK 3.1 (b) No alcoholic beverage may be sold or served at TCF Huntington Bank Stadium
3.2unless the Board of Regents holds an on-sale intoxicating liquor license for the stadium as
3.3provided in paragraph (a), clause (3), that provides for the sale of intoxicating liquor at a
3.4location in the stadium that is convenient to the general public attending an intercollegiate
3.5football game at the stadium. On-sale liquor sales to the general public must be available
3.6at that location through half-time of an intercollegiate football game at TCF Huntington
3.7Bank Stadium, and sales at the stadium must comply with section 340A.909.
3.8 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
3.9 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 340A.412, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
3.10 Subd. 4.Licenses prohibited in certain areas.(a) No license to sell intoxicating liquor
3.11may be issued within the following areas:
3.12 (1) where restricted against commercial use through zoning ordinances and other
3.13proceedings or legal processes regularly had for that purpose, except licenses may be issued
3.14to restaurants in areas which were restricted against commercial uses after the establishment
3.15of the restaurant;
3.16 (2) within the Capitol or on the Capitol grounds, except as provided under Laws 1983,
3.17chapter 259, section 9, or Laws 1999, chapter 202, section 13;
3.18 (3) on the State Fairgrounds, except as provided under section 37.21, subdivision 2;
3.19 (4) on the campus of the College of Agriculture of the University of Minnesota;
3.20 (5) (4) within 1,000 feet of a state hospital, training school, reformatory, prison, or other
3.21institution under the supervision or control, in whole or in part, of the Direct Care and
3.22Treatment executive board or the commissioner of corrections;
3.23 (6) (5) in a town or municipality in which a majority of votes at the last election at which
3.24the question of license was voted upon were not in favor of license under section 340A.416,
3.25or within one-half mile of any such town or municipality, except that intoxicating liquor
3.26manufactured within this radius may be sold to be consumed outside it; and
3.27 (7) (6) within 1,500 feet of any public school that is not within a city.
3.28 (b) The restrictions of this subdivision do not apply to a manufacturer or wholesaler of
3.29intoxicating liquor or to a drugstore or to a person who had a license originally issued
3.30lawfully prior to July 1, 1967.
3.31 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
3Sec. 3.
S2511-1 1st EngrossmentSF2511 REVISOR JSK 4.1 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 340A.417, is amended to read:
4.2 340A.417 WINE SHIPMENTS INTO MINNESOTA.
4.3 (a) Notwithstanding section 297G.07, subdivision 2, or any provision of this chapter, a
4.4winery licensed in a state other than Minnesota, or a winery located in Minnesota, may ship,
4.5for personal use and not for resale, not more than two four cases of wine, containing a
4.6maximum of nine liters per case, in any calendar year to any resident of Minnesota age 21
4.7or over. Delivery of a shipment under this section may not be deemed a sale in this state.
4.8 (b) The shipping container of any wine sent under this section must be clearly marked
4.9"Alcoholic Beverages: adult signature (over 21 years of age) required."
4.10 (c) It is not the intent of this section to impair the distribution of wine through distributors
4.11or importing distributors, but only to permit shipments of wine for personal use.
4.12 (d) no criminal penalty may be imposed on a person for a violation of this section other
4.13than a violation described in paragraph (e) or (f). Whenever it appears to the commissioner
4.14that any person has engaged in any act or practice constituting a violation of this section,
4.15and the violation is not within two years of any previous violation of this section, the
4.16commissioner shall issue and cause to be served upon the person an order requiring the
4.17person to cease and desist from violating this section. The order must give reasonable notice
4.18of the rights of the person to request a hearing and must state the reason for the entry of the
4.19order. Unless otherwise agreed between the parties, a hearing shall be held not later than
4.20seven days after the request for the hearing is received by the commissioner after which
4.21and within 20 days after the receipt of the administrative law judge's report and subsequent
4.22exceptions and argument, the commissioner shall issue an order vacating the cease and
4.23desist order, modifying it, or making it permanent as the facts require. If no hearing is
4.24requested within 30 days of the service of the order, the order becomes final and remains
4.25in effect until modified or vacated by the commissioner. All hearings shall be conducted in
4.26accordance with the provisions of chapter 14. If the person to whom a cease and desist order
4.27is issued fails to appear at the hearing after being duly notified, the person shall be deemed
4.28in default, and the proceeding may be determined against the person upon consideration of
4.29the cease and desist order, the allegations of which may be deemed to be true.
4.30 (e) Any person who violates this section within two years of a violation for which a
4.31cease and desist order was issued under paragraph (d), is guilty of a misdemeanor.
4.32 (f) Any person who commits a third or subsequent violation of this section within any
4.33subsequent two-year period is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
4Sec. 4.
S2511-1 1st EngrossmentSF2511 REVISOR JSK 5.1 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
5.2 Sec. 5. [340A.911] SOCIAL DISTRICT LICENSE.
5.3 Subdivision 1.Social district; consumption allowed.A city may issue a social district
5.4license to any holder of an on-sale license whose on-sale premises is contiguous with the
5.5premises of the social district designated in subdivision 2. The license authorizes
5.6consumption, but not sales or service, of alcoholic beverages sold by the on-sale licensee
5.7within the social district.
5.8 Subd. 2.Designation of social district.(a) Prior to issuing the license in subdivision 1,
5.9a city must designate and describe the premises of the social district. The district may not
5.10include any area under the ownership or control of a person that objects to the extension of
5.11the social district to that area.
5.12 (b) The designation must include the specific premises where consumption of alcoholic
5.13beverages is allowed and also include the proposed hours and days in which consumption
5.14of alcoholic beverages is allowed in the social district. The city must adopt the designation
5.15by ordinance prior to issuing the license in subdivision 1.
5.16 Subd. 3.Boundaries clearly defined.The social district must be clearly defined with
5.17signs posted in a conspicuous location indicating the area included in the social district and
5.18the days and hours during which alcoholic beverages may be consumed in the district. In
5.19addition, signs must include:
5.20 (1) the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the area comprising the
5.21social district; and
5.22 (2) a clear statement that an alcoholic beverage purchased for consumption in the social
5.23district shall:
5.24 (i) only be consumed in the social district; and
5.25 (ii) be disposed of before the person in possession of the alcoholic beverage exits the
5.26social district unless the person is reentering the licensed premises where the alcoholic
5.27beverage was purchased.
5.28 Subd. 4.Management and maintenance.A city must establish management and
5.29maintenance plans for the social district and post these plans, along with a rendering of the
5.30boundaries of the social district and days and hours during which alcoholic beverages may
5.31be consumed in the district, on the website for the city. The social district must be maintained
5.32in a manner that protects the health and safety of the general public.
5Sec. 5.
S2511-1 1st EngrossmentSF2511 REVISOR JSK 6.1 Subd. 5.Requirements for on-sale licensees.An on-sale licensee holding a social
6.2district license may only sell and serve alcoholic beverages on the premises specified in the
6.3licensee's on-sale license. The licensee must not allow a person to enter or reenter its on-sale
6.4licensed premises with an alcoholic beverage not sold by the on-sale licensee. Sales for
6.5consumption in the social district must meet the following container requirements:
6.6 (1) the container clearly identifies the on-sale licensee from which the alcoholic beverage
6.7was purchased;
6.8 (2) the container clearly displays a logo or some other mark that is unique to the social
6.9district in which it will be consumed;
6.10 (3) the container is not comprised of glass;
6.11 (4) the container displays, in no less than 12-point font, the statement, "Drink Responsibly
6.12- Be 21."; and
6.13 (5) the container shall not hold more than 16 fluid ounces.
6.14 Subd. 6.Additional social district requirements.The possession and consumption of
6.15an alcoholic beverage in a social district is subject to all of the following requirements:
6.16 (1) only alcoholic beverages purchased from an on-sale licensee holding a social district
6.17license located in or contiguous to the social district may be possessed and consumed in the
6.18district;
6.19 (2) alcoholic beverages shall only be in containers meeting the requirements set forth
6.20in subdivision 5;
6.21 (3) alcoholic beverages shall only be possessed and consumed during the days and hours
6.22set by the city as specified in subdivision 2; and
6.23 (4) a person shall dispose of any alcoholic beverage in the person's possession prior to
6.24exiting the social district unless the person is reentering the on-sale licensed premises where
6.25the alcoholic beverage was purchased.
6.26 Subd. 7.Prohibition.A city is prohibited from issuing a cannabis event organizer license
6.27under section 342.39 or from authorizing a cannabis event under section 342.40, if the
6.28cannabis event would occur in the same place as a social district and at the same time that
6.29consumption of alcoholic beverages are allowed in the social district.
6.30 Subd. 8.Report required.Within 24 months from the first issuance of a social district
6.31license, a city must provide a report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
6Sec. 5.
S2511-1 1st EngrossmentSF2511 REVISOR JSK 7.1legislative committees with jurisdiction over liquor regulation. The report must include a
7.2discussion of the following subjects:
7.3 (1) the process used by the city in designating the social district;
7.4 (2) the community response to the social district, with a concentration on residents living
7.5and businesses operating within a one-mile radius of the district;
7.6 (3) the response to the social district from both on-sale licensees holding a social district
7.7license and not holding a social district license;
7.8 (4) the problems or challenges encountered in establishing and overseeing the social
7.9district and social district licenses;
7.10 (5) any public safety concerns that arose due to the operation of the social district;
7.11 (6) the benefits and drawbacks to the city of continuing the social district; and
7.12 (7) recommendations for modifications to the social district special law established in
7.13this section.
7.14 Sec. 6. Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 4, article 5, section 12, is amended to
7.15read:
7.16 Sec. 12. FOOD HALL LICENSE; MINNEAPOLIS.
7.17 Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 340A.101, subdivision 25, 340A.401, or
7.18340A.410, subdivision 7, or any other law or ordinance to the contrary, the city of
7.19Minneapolis may issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license for a licensee serving as an
7.20anchor tenant for a food hall to be located at 501 30th Avenue Southeast. The license may
7.21allow service and consumption anywhere within the licensee establishment, and anywhere
7.22within the larger food hall, provided that the larger premises is specified in the on-sale
7.23license. Multiple independent food vendors will be able to utilize a common seating area
7.24under the control of the liquor license holder to allow the public to purchase and consume
7.25food from third parties while also consuming licensed beverages sold by the license holder.
7.26Licenses may only be issued for food halls at the following locations:
7.27 (1) 501 30th Avenue Southeast; and
7.28 (2) 800 LaSalle Avenue.
7.29 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon approval by the city of Minneapolis
7.30and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021.
7Sec. 6.
S2511-1 1st EngrossmentSF2511 REVISOR JSK 8.1 Sec. 7. MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO; SPECIAL LICENSE.
8.2 Notwithstanding any other law, local ordinance, or charter provision to the contrary, the
8.3city of Mankato may issue an on-sale wine and malt liquor intoxicating liquor license to
8.4Minnesota State University, Mankato. A license authorized by this section may be issued
8.5for space that is not compact and contiguous, provided that all the space is within the
8.6boundaries of the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato, and is included in the
8.7description of the licensed premises on the approved license application. The license under
8.8this section authorizes sales on all days of the week to persons attending events at the Taylor
8.9Center, subject to the hours and days of sale restrictions in Minnesota Statutes, and any
8.10reasonable license conditions or restrictions imposed by the licensing authority. All other
8.11provisions of Minnesota Statutes not inconsistent with this section apply to the license
8.12authorized under this section.
8.13 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon approval by the Mankato City
8.14Council in the manner provided by Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and
8.153.
8.16 Sec. 8. SPECIAL LIQUOR LAW; CITY OF ROCHESTER.
8.17 Notwithstanding any other law, ordinance, or charter provision to the contrary, the city
8.18of Rochester may issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license to the Historic Chateau Theater,
8.19located in the city at 15 1st Street Southwest. The license authorizes sales on all days of the
8.20week to persons attending performances, exhibitions, or any other events at the theater. The
8.21provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 340A, not inconsistent with this section, apply to
8.22a license issued under this section.
8.23 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon approval by the Rochester City
8.24Council and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021.
8.25 Sec. 9. CITY OF BLOOMINGTON; ON-SALE BEER AND WINE LICENSE.
8.26 Notwithstanding any other law or ordinance to the contrary, the city of Bloomington
8.27may issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license for the Bloomington Dwan Golf Course
8.28that is located at 3301 West 110th Street. The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter
8.29340A, not inconsistent with this section, apply to the license issued under this section. The
8.30city of Bloomington is deemed the licensee under this section, and the provisions of
8.31Minnesota Statutes, sections 340A.603 and 340A.604, apply to the license as if the
8.32establishment were a municipal liquor store.
8Sec. 9.
S2511-1 1st EngrossmentSF2511 REVISOR JSK 9.1 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon approval by the city of Bloomington
9.2and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021.
9.3 Sec. 10. TEMPORARY LICENSES; LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY.
9.4 Lake of the Woods County may issue temporary licenses pursuant to law for premises
9.5of the Baudette Arena Association, without regard to the restriction set forth in Minnesota
9.6Statutes, section 340A.412, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (7).
9.7 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon approval by the Lake of the Woods
9.8County Board of Commissioners and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021.
9.9 Sec. 11. SPECIAL LAW; CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK.
9.10 Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 340A.101, subdivision 25; 340A.401; or
9.11340A.410, subdivision 7, or any other law or ordinance to the contrary, the city of St. Louis
9.12Park may issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license to a licensee serving as an anchor
9.13tenant for a food hall located in any portion of the mall commonly known as The Shops at
9.14West End. The license may allow service and consumption anywhere within the licensee
9.15establishment, and anywhere within the larger food hall, provided that the larger premises
9.16is specified in the on-sale license. Multiple independent food vendors will be able to utilize
9.17a common seating area under the control of the liquor license holder to allow the public to
9.18purchase and consume food from third parties while also consuming licensed beverages
9.19sold by the license holder.
9.20 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon approval by the St. Louis Park City
9.21Council and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021.
9.22 Sec. 12. SPECIAL LICENSE; CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
9.23 The city of Springfield may issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license, an on-sale wine
9.24and strong beer license, or an on-sale including Sunday intoxicating liquor license for the
9.25city-owned facility known as the Springfield Area Community Center, notwithstanding any
9.26law, local ordinance, or charter provision. The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter
9.27340A, not inconsistent with this section, apply to the license issued under this section. The
9.28city of Springfield is deemed the licensee under this section, and the provisions of Minnesota
9.29Statutes, sections 340A.603 and 340A.604, apply to the license as if the facility was a
9.30municipal liquor store.
9.31 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon approval by the Springfield City
9.32Council and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021.
9Sec. 12.
S2511-1 1st EngrossmentSF2511 REVISOR JSK 10.1 Sec. 13. SPECIAL LAW; DOUGLAS COUNTY.
10.2 (a) Douglas County may issue a temporary license to a food truck for the on-sale of
10.3intoxicating liquor at a private event that the food truck has entered into a contract with a
10.4person to offer food and beverage services. For purposes of this section, "food truck" means
10.5a business that is licensed or permitted by the licensing authority to prepare and sell food
10.6from a motorized vehicle or trailer within the municipality.
10.7 (b) A license under this section must specify the conditions under which the intoxicating
10.8liquor must be dispensed and consumed and shall not be issued unless the licensee
10.9demonstrates that it has liability insurance as prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, section
10.10340A.409, to cover the event. The license under this section authorizes sales on all days of
10.11the week only to the person who has entered into a contract to offer food and beverage
10.12services with the food truck, and the person's guests.
10.13 (c) A license under this section is subject to the terms, including a license fee, imposed
10.14by the issuing municipality and all laws and ordinances governing the sale of intoxicating
10.15liquor. A license under this section authorizes the on-sale of intoxicating liquor for not more
10.16than four consecutive days and not more than 12 days per year. No sale under this license
10.17may be made outside the hours established by the municipality for on-premises consumption.
10.18Licenses under this section are not valid unless first approved by the commissioner of public
10.19safety.
10.20 (d) The licensee shall notify prior to any private event:
10.21 (1) the police chief of the city where the event will take place, if the event will take place
10.22within the corporate limits of a city; or
10.23 (2) the Douglas County sheriff, if the event will be outside the corporate limits of any
10.24city.
10.25 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective upon approval by the Douglas County
10.26Board of Commissioners and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021. This
10.27section expires one year from the date of approval.
10Sec. 13.
S2511-1 1st EngrossmentSF2511 REVISOR JSK