Senate adopts omnibus liquor bill expanding local licensing, 56-10

Saint Paul — The Minnesota Senate on Tuesday concurred in House amendments to Senate File 2511 and passed the omnibus liquor bill on final passage, 56 yeas to 10 nays.

Sponsor Sen. David Klein described the measure as noncontroversial and containing local projects from both parties. Klein said the bill would allow new merchandising practices for liquor retailers, authorize special food-hall licenses for cities such as St. Louis Park and Minneapolis, permit counties to issue licenses for seasonal resorts, and include a Brainerd provision allowing a license for the Northern Pacific Center. "This is the omnibus liquor bill you have already voted on last session...it contains local projects from both parties and is noncontroversial," Klein said and urged colleagues to "vote yes."

During debate, Sen. Mark Wesenberg asked whether a House proposal that would have allowed 17-year-olds to carry alcohol from a bar for service remained in the bill; Klein replied that language was a House provision that did not have caucus support and "has been dropped." The exchange clarified that the final version before the Senate does not include that provision.

The secretary placed the bill on third reading and the roll call on final passage yielded 56 yeas and 10 nays. The bill's title was agreed to and the measure will return to the House for whatever next steps are required under the legislative process.

The floor also included unanimous-adoption motions to add co-authors and housekeeping actions related to the bill's progression. No further amendments were recorded on the Senate floor during final consideration.