Minnesota House proposes liquor license reforms for University and St. Paul venues

The House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee convened on March 13, 2025, to discuss two significant bills concerning liquor licensing in Minnesota. The meeting began with a presentation on House File 1668, which aims to update liquor license laws as they pertain to the University of Minnesota system, encompassing five campuses: Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities.

Representative Gander introduced the bill, highlighting the current limitation of nine liquor licenses for the entire university system, of which eight have already been allocated. This scarcity has created challenges, particularly for the Crookston campus, which struggles to hire vendors for events due to regional catering limitations. The proposed changes would facilitate better planning for philanthropic events and strengthen community ties.

Amy Karen, Director of Contract Administration at the University of Minnesota, elaborated on the bill's four main provisions. First, it would eliminate the cap on the number of liquor licenses, allowing for flexibility based on campus needs. Second, it would permit licenses for non-contiguous spaces, enabling internal catering services to operate at venues like the Glensheen Mansion. Third, the bill would allow concessionaires to hold licenses, streamlining purchasing and reporting processes. Lastly, it would remove restrictions on the Saint Paul campus, aligning it with other campuses and supporting agricultural research.

Committee members raised questions regarding the implications of removing the cap on licenses. Director Karen clarified that while the cap would be lifted, the university would still follow a review process for each license application to ensure responsible management.

The committee then moved on to House File 2055, presented by Representative Perez Vega. This bill seeks to allow the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Union Depot in St. Paul to serve alcohol at various events, addressing current statutory limitations that hinder their ability to host special occasions. The representative emphasized the growing demand for such events and the need for a more effective licensing model.

Testimony from city representatives supported the bill, noting that similar provisions exist for other cultural institutions in Minnesota. The proposed changes would enable the city to issue on-sale liquor licenses to these venues, enhancing their ability to serve the community and attract visitors.

After concluding discussions on both bills, the committee decided to lay them over for possible inclusion in a future liquor omnibus bill. The meeting underscored the ongoing efforts to adapt liquor licensing laws to better serve educational institutions and cultural venues in Minnesota.