It's 'Past Time' to Repeal Sunday Liquor Ban: MN House Speaker

Minnesota Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt believes that a bill to repeal the ban on Sunday liquor sales will pass out of the House next year. Minnesota is one 12 of states that currently imposes a Sunday ban.

On Monday, leaders of the House and Senate caucuses answered questions from the press. Daudt told reporters it was "past time" to allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays.

"If a liquor store doesn’t want to be open on Sunday, they don’t have to," Daudt said. "Customers, consumers, our constituents would like them to have that flexibility, and frankly would like them to be open."

Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka said he’s generally against Sunday sales, but could change his mind. Democratic Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk still maintains a hard and fast "no" position on Sunday sales.

Lawmakers typically vote on a bill to repeal the ban once a year, but advocates have so far been unsuccessful. Those opposing Sunday liquor sales say a repeal would put smaller liquor stores at a disadvantage against large, national retailers.

According to the Pioneer Press, Gov. Mark Dayton has said he will sign a law allowing Sunday sales if it reaches his desk.

Liquor laws

According to Minnesota statute 340A.504, no sale of "intoxicating liquor" may be made by an off-sale licensee:

(1) on Sundays;
(2) before 8:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday;
(3) on Thanksgiving Day;
(4) on Christmas Day, Dec. 25; or
(5) after 8:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

Minnesota is one of 12 states that bans Sunday liquor sales, a prohibition that dates back to 1935, according to the Star Tribune.

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