MN Senate passes wine, beer to-go bill on a 65-2 vote; House votes tomorrow

The state Senate today passed a bill (65-2) that allows restaurants to sell one bottle of wine and a six-pack of beer, cider or seltzer with an order of takeaway food–during the state emergency peacetime order. Senator Karin Housley says restaurants have taken a big financial hit during COVID-19 and “many of our bars and restaurants across the state have a surplus of beer and wine they’ve been unable to sell, this is something that we can do right now these businesses are hurting, they need to get cash in the door to feed their families.” Housley says the bill allows municipalities to opt-out of the law. And the alcohol must be sold in its original, unopened packaging. The House plans to vote on the bill tomorrow. Governor Walz has said he’ll sign the bill.