Minnesota Senate Panel To Consider Sunday Alcohol Sales

ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota state senators are ready to reveal a wide-ranging liquor proposal expected to allow some Sunday alcohol sales.

The legislation before the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday is unlikely to allow liquor-store owners to open for business on Sunday.

Two bills have been making headway that would loosen the state's Sunday alcohol-sale ban. One would allow the sale of 64-ounce beer containers called "growlers." The second would open small brewers' taprooms.

Supporters of the changes say they would benefit Minnesota's burgeoning craft-beer brewing industry.

Gov. Mark Dayton said earlier this year that he'd sign a bill that completely repealed the Sunday prohibition. But that idea never gained enough traction among lawmakers.

Many small liquor store owners oppose being open on Sundays because they say costs would outweigh profits.