Purpose of the Bill

The main goal of this bill is to amend the requirements for brand registration of liquors in Minnesota, specifically exempting certain brewers from these obligations.

Main Provisions

• Brand Registration Requirement: The bill maintains that all brands of intoxicating liquor and 3.2 percent malt liquor must be registered with the state's commissioner to be manufactured, imported, or sold in Minnesota. This registration must be renewed every three years.
• Fees for Registration: It specifies a fee of $40 for an initial brand registration and $30 for each renewal.
• Exemption for Certain Brewers: Brewers that manufacture malt liquor to be sold exclusively at their own licensed premises or for off-sale are exempted from the registration requirement. This allows local brewers to operate without the need to register their brand labels, as long as they do not sell beyond their premises or designated sales contexts.

Significant Changes

• Exemption Clause Added: The significant change introduced by the bill is the new exemption that allows certain brewers to forego the brand registration process if the malt liquor is meant solely for on-site or specific off-premises consumption.

Relevant Terms

• Brand registration
• Malt liquor
• Brewers exemption
• On-sale and off-sale consumption
• Commissioner of liquor control