State of Minnesota enforcement authority and penalties for violations of Executive Orders: January 22, 2021 Update

Attorney General’s Office  

Enforcement authority 

Enforcement actions under 20-99, as modified and extended by 20-103 

The Attorney General’s office has directly brought ten enforcement actions under Executive Order 20-99, as modified and extended by EO 20-103. (New actions in the last week highlighted in bold.) 

Attorney General’s approach: Winning voluntary compliance 

Minnesota Department of Health 

Enforcement authority 

The Minnesota Department of Health’s Environmental Health Division is responsible for regulating restaurants among other facilities. The division uses the following tools, escalating through the list depending on each situation. 

Enforcement actions under 20-99, as modified and extended by 20-103 

Minnesota Department of Public Safety 

Enforcement authority 

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division is responsible for regulating licensed liquor establishments to ensure compliance with the state liquor laws and rules. The division uses the following tools, escalating through the list depending on each situation. 

Enforcement actions under 20-99, as modified and extended by 20-103 

DPS-AGED notified Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville, Minn., and The Interchange in Albert Lea, Minn., that they now face a five-year liquor license revocation for ongoing and blatant violations of EO 20-99, as modified and extended by EO 20-103. Both establishments have continued to sell or advertise the sale of alcohol for indoor, on-premises consumption in violation of the executive orders. DPS-AGED previously advised these establishments that it intended to suspend their liquor licenses for 60 days, pending a hearing before an administrative law judge. The establishments were advised at that time that they would be notified of the intent to revoke their license for five years if there were further violations.  

DPS-AGED has notified the following establishments that they face a 60-day suspension of their liquor licenses. Hearings before an administrative lawjudge have been scheduled.  

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry 

Enforcement authority 

Enforcement actions 

For the time period starting in March through December 2020, MNOSHA has issued 144 citations for violations observed during COVID-19 related inspections. 

Criminal penalty authority