Minnesota Senate approves Sunday liquor sales; law to take effect in July
The Minnesota State Senate approved a bill Monday afternoon to end the state's prohibition on Sunday liquor sales.
It marks the first time in the state's 159-year history that both chambers of the Legislature have voted to repeal the state's ban on Sunday sales. The House passed a similar measure last week.
The Senate passed the bill 38-28. There was no clear partisan divide, with members of both parties voting for and against the bill. From Rochester, Sen. Dave Senjem voted against the measure; Sen. Carla Nelson voted for it (both are Republicans).
Since the House and Senate bills contain slightly different language, a committee will need to work out the final details before a final version heads to the desk of Gov. Mark Dayton. The Democratic governor has said he will not veto any such bill.
Under the bills passed by the House and Senate, Sunday liquor sales would begin in Minnesota on July 1 of this year.
Even with a new state law, Rochester would still need to pass an ordinance of its own. Current city rules prohibit Sunday sales.
Assistant City Administrator Aaron Reeves told us Monday, "It sounds like if the new law just passed by the Senate is signed into law the City would have the option to allow Sunday sales, but it would not be mandatory."
Cover photo: File / Pixabay
