Lawmakers would let Regents decide stadium alcohol sales

A state Senate committee has approved a measure allowing the University of Minnesota to decide where alcohol is served at the TCF Bank football stadium.

The question has been before lawmakers each of the last three years. Previous legislation forced the U to serve alcohol throughout the stadium, or not at all. U officials want to sell alcohol in premium seating areas to restrict underage students' access to alcohol.

U of M spokesman Dan Wolter says the latest effort returns control of the issue to the school.

"It's really, for the university, a local control issue. The Legislature elects the board of regents to make a policies on budgets and academic issues," Wolter said. "This really is an issue that should be left to the Board of Regents."

If passed by the Legislature it would still require action by the regents before alcohol could be served in the TCF stadium.

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