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HF4776 • 2026

Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes allowed to issue a social district license.

Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes allowed to issue a social district license.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Joy
Last action
2026-03-26
Official status
Introduction and first reading, referred to Commerce Finance and Policy
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-26 House

    Introduction and first reading, referred to Commerce Finance and Policy

Official Summary Text

Moorhead, Dilworth, and Detroit Lakes allowed to issue a social district license.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
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.

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CITIES OF MOORHEAD, DILWORTH, AND DETROIT LAKES;

SPECIAL LICENSE.

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Subdivision 1.

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Social district; consumption allowed.

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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.

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Subd. 2.

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Designation of social district.

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(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.

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(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.

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Subd. 3.

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Boundaries clearly defined.

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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:

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(1) the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the area comprising the

social district; and

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(2) a clear statement that an alcoholic beverage purchased for consumption in the social

district shall:

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(i) only be consumed in the social district; and

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(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.

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Subd. 4.

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Management and maintenance.

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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.

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Subd. 5.

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Requirements for on-sale licensees.

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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:

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(1) the container clearly identifies the on-sale licensee from which the alcoholic beverage

was purchased;

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(2) the container clearly displays a logo or some other mark that is unique to the social

district in which it will be consumed;

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(3) the container is not comprised of glass;

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(4) the container displays, in no less than 12-point font, the statement, "Drink Responsibly

- Be 21."; and

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(5) the container shall not hold more than 16 fluid ounces.

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Subd. 6.

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Additional social district requirements.

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The possession and consumption of

an alcoholic beverage in a social district is subject to all of the following requirements:

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(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;

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(2) alcoholic beverages shall only be in containers meeting the requirements set forth

in subdivision 5;

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(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

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(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.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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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.

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