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Raymore staff brief council on Missouri law allowing extended liquor sales during World Cup; council takes no immediate action
Summary
City staff explained Missouri House Bill 1041, which would permit sale of intoxicating liquors between 6 a.m. and 5 a.m. during the 2026 World Cup window unless a municipality opts out. Council members discussed public-safety and business impacts and directed no immediate ordinance action unless the council later requests an exemption ordinance.
City staff told the Raymore City Council at a Sept. 29, 2025 work session that the Missouri Legislature’s House Bill 1041, signed in August, would allow establishments that sell intoxicating liquors to sell between 6 a.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning during the World Cup period from June 11 to July 19, 2026, unless a city adopts an ordinance to exempt itself or to modify the dates.
Staff attorney Mister Zirk explained the bill’s mechanics: the statute permits sale of alcoholic and intoxicating beverages between 6 a.m. and 5 a.m. the next morning during the listed dates and includes a highlighted clause allowing “an individual city, county, political subdivision, or otherwise” to exempt itself or to modify the temporary period. Zirk said the city’s practical choices are (1) take no action and allow eligible establishments to operate during those hours, (2) adopt an ordinance exempting the city from the statute, or (3) adopt an ordinance narrowing the dates municipalities will allow extended hours.
Council members questioned the policy’s purpose and local impact. Council member Burke said he did not expect many prime‑time overseas broadcasts to require late‑night operations in Raymore. Council member Baker and others estimated only a handful of Raymore businesses would be eligible to serve intoxicating liquors during the extended hours; staff counted roughly two to three establishments by name and described “a handful” of restaurants that might qualify. Chief of Police attendance was noted; staff said the chief “shook his head no” during much of the discussion when asked about public‑safety impacts, but no formal public‑safety recommendation or written report from the police department was presented during the session.
Several council members raised pragmatic concerns: whether local bars and restaurants would staff overnight shifts, whether nearby cities’ policies could draw late‑night patrons across jurisdictional borders, and the value of giving businesses advance notice of the city’s decision. Staff emphasized there is no obligation for businesses to remain open under the law; the statute only authorizes extended hours for those that choose to operate.
After discussion, staff reported that no ordinance or action would be brought forward unless the council later instructs staff to prepare an exemption ordinance. In staff’s words, “Based on the conversation, we will not be bringing anything unless the council revisits it and then directs us to bring an exemption ordinance forward.”
The council did not take a formal vote during the work session on an exemption or modification. Staff said they would return with an ordinance only if the council later directs them to do so, enabling the city to give businesses advance notice either way.
Ending: Staff said they would provide additional information if council members request a draft exemption ordinance or ask staff to return with recommended dates or draft language. No formal ordinance was introduced or adopted at the Sept. 29 work session.
