A bipartisan coalition of legislators, including Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester), voted on Monday to approve legislation allowing the sale of alcohol on Sundays.

“I voted ‘yes’ along with a majority of constituents who support giving liquor stores the option to choose,” said Sen. Nelson. “Banning Sunday liquor sales is a holdover from the era of Prohibition, a time when John Dillinger was public enemy number one and a loaf of bread cost eight cents. The law is antiquated and needs to be updated.”

The bill, HF30, would allow liquor stores across Minnesota to open their doors between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. The legislation prohibits wholesalers from delivering alcohol to off-sale retailers, as well as merchandising or soliciting, on Sundays. In addition, current state law already gives cities and counties the authority to enact stricter rules on the sale of alcohol if they choose.

“If municipalities or counties do not want to allow Sunday sales, they certainly do not have to,” Sen. Nelson continued. “I believe this bill is a good compromise that represents the clear will of the majority.”

Similar legislation passed the House last week by a large margin. Because of a slight difference in the hours of operation between the two bills, the legislation now heads to a conference committee. Gov. Dayton has indicated he will not veto this bill should it reach his desk.

“Minnesota is one of just 12 states with such a ban still in statute. It is time we join the majority of the country in giving both consumers and businesses the freedom to choose,” Sen. Nelson said.

Sen. Nelson is in her third term representing Senate District 26, which includes communities in Olmsted County. She also serves as chairwoman of the Senate E-12 Finance Committee.