SF 5252

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 05/05/2026 09:09 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to health; authorizing the operation of cigar bars; authorizing on-sale
intoxicating liquor licenses to cigar bars; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024,
sections 144.4167, by adding a subdivision; 340A.404, subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 144.4167, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Cigar bar. new text end

new text begin (a) Sections 144.414 to 144.417 do not prohibit the lighting, heating,
or activation of a cigar in a cigar bar to persons 21 years of age or older. For purposes of
this subdivision, "cigar bar" means a retail establishment: (1) where persons 21 years of age
or older may smoke cigars alongside alcoholic beverages; (2) that has an entrance door
opening directly to the outside; (3) that cannot be entered at any time by persons younger
than 21 years of age; (4) that derives at least ten percent of sales from cigars or the rental
of on-site humidors; and (5) where the sale of other products, such as food and beverage
items that do not require a food handler's license, is merely incidental.
new text end

new text begin (b) Signs must be posted on the premises explaining cigarettes, marijuana, and e-cigarettes
are not permitted in the cigar bar. One percent of total gross revenue generated from cigar
bars must be designated to youth smoking cessation programs.
new text end

new text begin (c) The cigar bar must be equipped with a ventilation system so that exhausted air is not
recirculated to nonsmoking areas and smoke is not back-streamed into nonsmoking areas.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 340A.404, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Cities.

(a) A city may issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license to the
following establishments located within its jurisdiction:

(1) hotels;

(2) restaurants;

(3) bowling centers;

(4) clubs or congressionally chartered veterans organizations with the approval of the
commissioner, provided that the organization has been in existence for at least three years
and liquor sales will only be to members and bona fide guests, except that a club may permit
the general public to participate in a wine tasting conducted at the club under section
340A.419;

(5) sports facilities, restaurants, clubs, or bars located on land owned or leased by the
Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority;

(6) sports facilities located on land owned by the Metropolitan Sports Commission;

(7) exclusive liquor stores; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(8) resorts as defined in section 157.15, subdivision 11 deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (9) a cigar bar under section 144.4167, subdivision 4a.
new text end

(b) A city may issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license, an on-sale wine license, or
an on-sale malt liquor license to a theater within the city, notwithstanding any law, local
ordinance, or charter provision. A license issued under this paragraph authorizes sales on
all days of the week to persons attending events at the theater.

(c) A city may issue an on-sale intoxicating liquor license, an on-sale wine license, or
an on-sale malt liquor license to a convention center within the city, notwithstanding any
law, local ordinance, or charter provision. A license issued under this paragraph authorizes
sales on all days of the week to persons attending events at the convention center. This
paragraph does not apply to convention centers located in the seven-county metropolitan
area.

(d) A municipality may issue an on-sale wine license and an on-sale malt liquor license
to a person who is the owner of a summer collegiate league baseball team or baseball team
competing in a league established by the Minnesota Baseball Association, or to a person
holding a concessions or management contract with the owner, for beverage sales at a
ballpark or stadium located within the municipality for the purposes of summer collegiate
league baseball games, town ball games, and any other events at the ballpark or stadium,
notwithstanding any law, local ordinance, or charter provision. A license issued under this
paragraph authorizes sales on all days of the week to persons attending baseball games and
any other events at the ballpark or stadium.

(e) A municipality may issue an on-sale malt liquor license to a resort as defined in
section 157.15, subdivision 11, notwithstanding any law, local ordinance, or charter provision.
A license issued under this paragraph authorizes sales on all days of the week to persons
staying at the resort and their guests.