Omnibus Liquor Bill Clears Legislature, Heads to Governor

The bill expands local licensing authority and formally allows assisted living facilities to serve alcohol without a license, with final approval now awaiting the governor’s signature.

On April 13, the House passed SF 2511*/HF 2027, the omnibus liquor bill on a 129-1 vote after minimal debate. A day later, the bill was taken up by the full Senate and passed unamended on a vote of 56-10. The bill now goes to Gov. Tim Walz, who is expected to sign it into law.

The bill is sponsored by Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chair Sen. Matt Klein (DFL-Mendota Heights) and House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee Co-chair Rep. Tim O’Driscoll (R-Sartell). It consists primarily of provisions reviewed during the last legislative session, before the bill stalled in April 2025.

The updated measure contains numerous local liquor license provisions requested by cities, including St. Paul, Minneapolis, Rochester, Bloomington, St. Louis Park, Springfield, Erhard, and Brainerd. It also includes requests from the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

In addition, the bill will establish a new policy allowing assisted leaving facilities to serve alcohol to residents without obtaining a license, codifying a practice already in place.

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