SF989

S.F. No. 989 is a legislative bill proposing changes to existing liquor license restrictions in Minnesota, specifically concerning microdistilleries and distilled spirits manufacturers. The bill allows cities, including those with municipal liquor stores, to issue licenses enabling these businesses to operate cocktail rooms where they can sell the liquor they produce for consumption on-site. The bill also permits these cocktail rooms to open and sell alcohol on Sundays if the local municipality agrees.

Key points of the bill include: 1. A distillery can only hold one cocktail room license, which must be used at the location of the distillery or immediately adjacent to it. 2. The municipality will charge a licensing fee for the cocktail room, in accordance with existing fee limitations. 3. The municipality must notify the state commissioner about the issuance and details of these licenses, as well as any changes such as transfers or cancellations. 4. Distilleries cannot hold both a cocktail room license and a taproom license concurrently; the only exception is for entities that had both licenses prior to August 20, 2014.

This legislation aims to streamline the licensing process for distilleries wanting to expand their business operations within their premises by allowing them to serve their products directly to consumers.