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SF410 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Cohasset authorization to operate a casino gaming facility regulated by the Department of Public Safety

AI Generated Summary

The legislative bill outlined allows the city of Cohasset, Minnesota, to establish and operate a casino gaming facility, which will be regulated by the Department of Public Safety. The bill also specifies that the city is authorized to issue additional onsale intoxicating liquor licenses specifically for use in a hotel, motel, or restaurant settings.

Key points of the bill include: 1. Casino Authorization: Cohasset can own or lease a casino within its city limits, but all related contracts (including those for financing, construction, lease, or operation) must be approved by a newly established joint committee.

  1. Joint Committee: This committee will consist of four members from the Cohasset City Council and three Department of Public Safety employees. The committee is responsible for approving all contracts, conducting background and financial checks on involved parties, and overseeing casino operations.

  2. Casino Operations:

    • The casino can offer video games of chance and blackjack, with the Department of Public Safety setting the rules and prize limits after a public hearing.
    • Receipts from the casino are to be kept in a separate account, with detailed records on expenses and profits submitted to the Department of Public Safety.

  3. Regulations and Oversight: The commissioner of public safety has significant enforcement and investigative powers regarding the casino, including the ability to inspect premises and audit records without prior notice.

  4. Age Restrictions: No person under the age of 18 is allowed to participate in any games at the casino.

  5. Use of Profits: Profits from the casino are designated primarily for property tax relief in Cohasset, with detailed reporting and accounting required to ensure transparency.

  6. Additional Liquor Licenses: Cohasset may issue two additional onsale intoxicating liquor licenses to qualifying establishments, subject to existing state regulations.

This bill is designed to regulate and oversee casino operations in Cohasset carefully while providing additional revenue for municipal use and ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
January 20, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
January 20, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toState and Local Government

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Specifies that the city's proposed tax levy must subtract casino-derived revenue in accordance with section 275.065."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references section 275.065 in discussing the requirements for the city of Cohasset when adopting its proposed tax levy based on casino revenue.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "275.065"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Gaming operations under this bill are exempt from the definitions of lottery and gambling in existing law sections 609.75 to 609.763."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This section of the bill clarifies that gaming conducted under the new authorization does not fall under the state's legal definitions of lottery or gambling as outlined in sections 609.75 to 609.763.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "609.75 to 609.763"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Provides allowances for additional liquor licenses in Cohasset in accordance with chapter 340A."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill allows the city of Cohasset to issue additional liquor licenses, indicating compliance with Minnesota Statutes chapter 340A regarding liquor licenses.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "340A"
  }
]

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