ST. PAUL, Minn. – Rep. Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie) and Sen. Roger Reinert (D-Duluth) introduced bills this week in the House and Senate that would allow alcohol to be sold on Sundays in Minnesota. As bipartisan momentum continues to grow at the Capitol to repeal this post-Prohibition era blue law, both legislators agreed now is the right time to introduce this bill.
“State government is limiting the personal and economic freedoms of Minnesotans by mandating that liquor cannot be sold on Sundays,” said Rep. Loon. “With over 75 percent of our population living within 30 miles of a state that allows alcohol sales on Sunday, it’s clear that repealing this law will help Minnesota remain competitive, and give consumers and businesses the convenience and choice they deserve.”
Rep. Loon added that her bill, House File 231 which was introduced in the House on Tuesday, has strong bipartisan support and a growing list of co-authors.
“This legislation allows businesses to be open if they choose, gives consumers the convenience they deserve and moves Minnesota’s antiquated alcohol laws into the twenty-first century,” said Sen. Reinert. “Sunday is a convenient shopping day for people who work full time during the week. Minnesotans should have the choice to purchase alcohol on that day, and businesses should be able to sell to those customers without unnecessary government interference.”
Sen. Reinert’s bill, similar to Rep. Loon’s House File 231, will be introduced and numbered in the Senate on Thursday.
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