SF 4639

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/24/2026 10:22 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to liquor; allowing the cities of Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes
to issue a social district license.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin CITIES OF MOORHEAD, DILWORTH, AND DETROIT LAKES;
SPECIAL LICENSE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Social district; consumption allowed. new text end

new text begin The cities of Moorhead, Dilworth,
and Detroit Lakes may issue a social district license to any holder of an on-sale license
whose on-sale premises is contiguous with the premises of the social district designated in
subdivision 2. The license authorizes consumption, but not sales or service, of alcoholic
beverages sold by the on-sale licensee within the social district.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Designation of social district. new text end

new text begin (a) Prior to issuing the license in subdivision 1,
the cities of Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes must designate and describe the premises
of the social district. The district may not include any area under the ownership or control
of a person that objects to the extension of the social district to that area.
new text end

new text begin (b) The designation must include the specific premises where consumption of alcoholic
beverages is allowed and also include the proposed hours and days in which consumption
of alcoholic beverages is allowed in the social district. The cities of Moorhead, Dilworth,
and Detroit Lakes must adopt the designation by ordinance prior to issuing the license in
subdivision 1.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Boundaries clearly defined. new text end

new text begin The social district must be clearly defined with
signs posted in a conspicuous location indicating the area included in the social district and
the days and hours during which alcoholic beverages may be consumed in the district. In
addition, signs must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the area comprising the
social district; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a clear statement that an alcoholic beverage purchased for consumption in the social
district shall:
new text end

new text begin (i) only be consumed in the social district; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) be disposed of before the person in possession of the alcoholic beverage exits the
social district unless the person is reentering the licensed premises where the alcoholic
beverage was purchased.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Management and maintenance. new text end

new text begin The cities of Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit
Lakes must establish management and maintenance plans for the social district and post
these plans, along with a rendering of the boundaries of the social district and days and
hours during which alcoholic beverages may be consumed in the district, on the website
for the cities of Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes. The social district must be
maintained in a manner that protects the health and safety of the general public.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Requirements for on-sale licensees. new text end

new text begin An on-sale licensee holding a social
district license may only sell and serve alcoholic beverages on the premises specified in the
licensee's on-sale license. The licensee must not allow a person to enter or reenter its on-sale
licensed premises with an alcoholic beverage not sold by the on-sale licensee. Sales for
consumption in the social district must meet the following container requirements:
new text end

new text begin (1) the container clearly identifies the on-sale licensee from which the alcoholic beverage
was purchased;
new text end

new text begin (2) the container clearly displays a logo or some other mark that is unique to the social
district in which it will be consumed;
new text end

new text begin (3) the container is not comprised of glass;
new text end

new text begin (4) the container displays, in no less than 12-point font, the statement, "Drink Responsibly
- Be 21."; and
new text end

new text begin (5) the container shall not hold more than 16 fluid ounces.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Additional social district requirements. new text end

new text begin The possession and consumption of
an alcoholic beverage in a social district is subject to all of the following requirements:
new text end

new text begin (1) only alcoholic beverages purchased from an on-sale licensee holding a social district
license located in or contiguous to the social district may be possessed and consumed in the
district;
new text end

new text begin (2) alcoholic beverages shall only be in containers meeting the requirements set forth
in subdivision 5;
new text end

new text begin (3) alcoholic beverages shall only be possessed and consumed during the days and hours
set by the cities of Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes as specified in subdivision 2;
and
new text end

new text begin (4) a person shall dispose of any alcoholic beverage in the person's possession prior to
exiting the social district unless the person is reentering the on-sale licensed premises where
the alcoholic beverage was purchased.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective upon approval by the cities of Moorhead,
Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes City Councils and compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section
645.021.
new text end