Bars may be open later for convention

Attendees to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul may find it easier to get a drink later in the evening, if they choose.

Sponsored by Rep. Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove), HF3986 would allow closing time for establishments in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area with an existing on-sale liquor license to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. from Aug. 31 to Sept. 5. It would also allow licensing agencies to charge a permit fee, not to exceed $2,500.

Presented to the House Commerce and Labor Committee on April 8, the bill was laid over and then included in the omnibus liquor bill, HF3829/SF3672*, sponsored by Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Dan Skogen (DFL-Hewitt). The omnibus bill was approved, and awaits action by the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee.

A similar provision was removed from the supplemental budget bill (HF1812) approved April 4 by the House.

Zellers said that proposal was much broader in scope and extended through Sept. 8. But concerns were raised by others, including members of the city councils of St. Paul and Minneapolis, who wanted more local control over when and where this would take place, he said.

John Wolf, general manager of Dixie’s on Grand in St. Paul, encouraged the committee to support the bill because it’s a “once in a lifetime” chance for many establishments in the state capital. “This will be a tremendous opportunity to showcase the city and show what we’re made of.”

Zellers also said that the bill was in no way a back door effort to extend alcohol sales hours on Sunday. If it were to become law, the bill would be repealed at 4:01 a.m. on Sept. 5, 2008.