HF5042

Purpose

• To authorize the city of Hibbing to designate a social district where certain alcohol consumption may occur and to outline who may hold a license and where consumption is allowed.

Main Provisions

• Social District License and Eligible Licensees

  • Hibbing may issue a social district license to holders of an onsale license if their premises are contiguous to the social district.
  • The license allows consumption of alcoholic beverages within the social district, but not sales or service of alcohol within the district.
  • The city may also issue a social district license to a municipal liquor store authorized for on-sale of intoxicating liquor and to a caterer’s permit holder for sales, service, and consumption within the social district.

• Designation of the Social District

  • The city must designate and describe the social district’s premises before issuing the license.
  • The district cannot include areas owned by someone who objects to extending the district.
  • The designation must specify the exact premises where consumption is allowed and the hours/days for consumption, and must be adopted by ordinance.
  • A district may include premises located in another city if the districts abut and the other city approves by ordinance.

• Boundaries and Signage

  • The social district must be clearly defined, with conspicuous signs showing the area, days/hours of consumption, and that alcohol must be consumed only within the district or in a designated cross-city district as allowed.
  • Signs must inform about law enforcement jurisdiction and that alcohol must be disposed of before exiting the district unless reentering the same or adjacent licensed premises.

• Management and Public Posting

  • The city must create management and maintenance plans for the district.
  • Plans and district boundary renderings, plus days/hours for consumption, must be posted on the city’s website and kept up to date.
  • The district must be maintained to protect public health and safety.

• Rules for Onsale Licensees within the District

  • Onsale licensees with a social district license may only sell and serve alcohol on the designated premises.
  • Patrons cannot reenter an onsale licensed premises with a beverage not sold by that licensee.
  • Containers for district beverages must:
  • Clearly identify the selling licensee
  • Display a logo or mark unique to the social district
  • Not be made of glass
  • Show the message “Drink Responsibly Be 21.” in at least 12-point font
  • Hold no more than 16 fluid ounces

• Additional District Requirements

  • Alcoholic beverages consumed in the social district must come from an on-sale licensee located in or contiguous to the district.
  • Beverages must be in compliant containers (per the above container rules).
  • Consumption is limited to the district’s designated days/hours.
  • Any beverage in possession must be disposed of before exiting the district unless reentering the licensed premises where purchased.

Significant Changes to Law

• Creates a new local option for Hibbing to designate a defined social district for on-site consumption connected to specific licensees.
• Establishes strict design, signage, container, and disposal requirements intended to tightly regulate where and how alcohol can be consumed within the district.
• Allows cross-city social districts if abutting and authorized by ordinance, expanding potential shared district arrangements.

Relevant Terms - social district license - onsale licensee - social district - contiguous premises - designated premises - hours and days of consumption - municipal liquor store - caterers permit - ordinance - signage - law enforcement - disposal - no glass containers - Drink Responsibly Be 21. - container identification (licensee) - district logo/mark - 16 fluid ounces - consume within the district - cross-city district (abutting conditions) - health and safety (public safety)