SF989

SF989 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Certain liquor license restrictions modification

Related bill: HF3226

AI Generated Summary

S.F. No. 989 is a legislative bill proposing changes to existing liquor license restrictions in Minnesota, specifically concerning microdistilleries and distilled spirits manufacturers. The bill allows cities, including those with municipal liquor stores, to issue licenses enabling these businesses to operate cocktail rooms where they can sell the liquor they produce for consumption on-site. The bill also permits these cocktail rooms to open and sell alcohol on Sundays if the local municipality agrees.

Key points of the bill include: 1. A distillery can only hold one cocktail room license, which must be used at the location of the distillery or immediately adjacent to it. 2. The municipality will charge a licensing fee for the cocktail room, in accordance with existing fee limitations. 3. The municipality must notify the state commissioner about the issuance and details of these licenses, as well as any changes such as transfers or cancellations. 4. Distilleries cannot hold both a cocktail room license and a taproom license concurrently; the only exception is for entities that had both licenses prior to August 20, 2014.

This legislation aims to streamline the licensing process for distilleries wanting to expand their business operations within their premises by allowing them to serve their products directly to consumers.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
February 05, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 05, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading
February 05, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Referred to	Commerce and Consumer Protection
February 05, 2025	Senate	Floor	Action	Referred to	Commerce and Consumer Protection

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Allows cocktail rooms to conduct on-sale business on Sundays if authorized by the municipality."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies liquor license restrictions related to cocktail room licenses for microdistilleries and distilled spirits manufacturers under section 340A.22 subdivision 2.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies that a distiller may only have one cocktail room license.",
        "Clarifies reporting requirements for municipalities regarding licensing actions."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "340A.22",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Introduces a provision allowing Sunday operations for cocktail rooms with municipal approval."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This legislation provides an exception to the existing restrictions under section 340A.504 subdivision 3 allowing Sunday operations for cocktail rooms with municipal approval.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "340A.504",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 3"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section is referenced to ensure compliance with additional liquor licensing regulations for cocktail room licenses.",
      "modified": [
        "Reaffirms that all retail liquor license provisions apply unless inconsistent with section 340A.22 subdivision 2."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "340A.409",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        ""
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section is mentioned regarding fee limitations for municipal licenses issued under section 340A.22.",
      "modified": [
        "Ensures fee limitations are consistent with section 340A.408 subdivision 2 paragraph a."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "340A.408",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Includes provision that prohibits co-location of cocktail room and taproom licenses unless pre-existing conditions are met."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section is referenced in the bill regarding taproom license co-location restrictions.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "340A.26",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]