1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to liquor; requiring certain cities operating
1.3 	municipal liquor stores to issue off-sale licenses to
1.4 	qualified applicants; amending Minnesota Statutes
1.5 	2004, section 340A.601, subdivision 5.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 340A.601,
1.8 	subdivision 5, is amended to read:
1.9 		Subd. 5.Issuance of licenses to private persons. (a) A
1.10 	city owning and operating a municipal liquor store may issue
1.11 	on-sale liquor licenses to hotels, clubs, and restaurants.  A
1.12 	city issuing on-sale licenses under this subdivision may
1.13 	continue to operate the municipal liquor store or may resume
1.14 	operation of a municipal liquor store previously discontinued.
1.15 	The number of on-sale licenses issued under this section by
1.16 	a city is governed by section 340A.413.
1.17 	A city may not issue licenses under this ~~section~~ paragraph,
1.18 	other than a license issued to a club under section 340A.404,
1.19 	subdivision 1, clause (4), until authorized by the voters of the
1.20 	city voting on the question at a special election called for
1.21 	that purpose.
1.22 	(b) Any city that owns and operates a municipal liquor
1.23 	store must issue an off-sale license for an exclusive liquor
1.24 	store to any applicant qualified under this chapter.  The
1.25 	license must be approved by the commissioner.