Lawmakers hear emergency bill to ease liquor-posting restrictions for restaurants hit by recent disruptions

Chair Baker presented House File 3752 as an urgent, temporary measure to help hospitality businesses that face cash-flow problems and risk losing the ability to purchase alcohol if sales-tax payments are late. Baker said the change would be temporary and end in December 2026; the bill would not waive taxes but would allow the commissioner limited discretion to avoid liquor-posting consequences for businesses granted relief.

Daniel Del Prado, who owns 13 restaurants in the Twin Cities, described steep sales declines after a December 2025 law-enforcement action he called "Operation Metro Search." He said, "Across my whole group, we saw sales drop around 25%" and that some locations saw steeper losses; he asked the legislature for urgent, targeted relief to keep restaurants afloat.

Representative Hollins told the committee the policy discussion must consider the human effects on employees and customers and urged a holistic approach that pairs business relief with compassion and supports for workers and tenants. Members agreed on the urgency; Chair Baker said taxes are due next week and stressed the need for quick action to prevent immediate supplier or licensing impacts.

Chair Baker renewed his motion and the committee laid HF3752 over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill.