HF536

The legislative bill proposes to end the sale of 3.2% alcohol by volume (ABV) beer in Minnesota and allow retailers who are currently licensed to sell this type of beer to receive new licenses to sell malt liquor with a higher alcohol content, up to 5.5% ABV. The bill specifies that both offsale (retail) and onsale (bars and restaurants) licenses for selling higher ABV malt liquors will be issued by city or county governing bodies to those who already have licenses for selling 3.2% beer. The bill also repeals several sections of the Minnesota Statutes related to the regulation of 3.2% beer. All other alcohol regulations will remain in effect, provided they do not conflict with this new provision.