ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday, May 12, 2016, Representative Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie) offered an amendment to the omnibus liquor bill, House File 3699 to legalize the sale of alcohol on Sundays in Minnesota. The amendment was crafted to address the objections of various groups opposed to Sunday liquor sales in previous sessions. The amendment was voted down 56-70, but shows there is growing support for this initiative in the legislature.
“State government should not be limiting the personal and economic freedoms of Minnesotans by prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sundays,” said Rep. Loon. “More than three-quarters of our population live within 30 miles of a state that allows alcohol sales on Sunday. My amendment helps Minnesota remain competitive, gives consumers and businesses the convenience and choice they deserve, and addresses several key concerns of groups who have opposed past efforts to legalize Sunday sales.”
The amendment states that a municipality may authorize off-sale licensees or a municipal liquor store under its jurisdiction to sell alcohol on any day of the week. It also would prohibit any liquor store from accepting delivery of alcoholic beverages on a Sunday.
"This is an effort that Minnesotans overwhelmingly support, and I will continue to work on legalizing Sunday alcohol sales in our state," Rep. Loon concluded.