MARSHALL — This week, the Marshall City Council gave their approval to new state legislation that makes it possible for Southwest Minnesota State University to sell beer and wine on campus during sporting events.

The city’s approval was required after the state Legislature passed special legislation allowing the university to apply for a city liquor license, Marshall city staff said.

“This is legislation that was proposed in 2026,” by area legislators Rep. Chris Swedzinski and Sen. Gary Dahms, said Marshall City Administrator Sharon Hanson. Hanson said the new legislation was “mostly identical” to a similar proposal for Minnesota State University Mankato, which was introduced in 2025.

“Both were approved recently in our legislative session,” Hanson said. Gov. Tim Walz signed the proposal into law April 21.

Hanson said the new legislation would give SMSU the ability to serve alcohol at two locations on campus: the Schwan’s Regional Event Center and the Recreation/Athletic Facility.

“They would still have state restrictions on dispensing alcohol that they would need to follow,” Hanson said.

The new legislation also needed majority approval from the city council to go into effect. If it was approved, SMSU would still need to go through the city’s application process for on-sale wine and beer licenses, said Marshall City Clerk Steven Anderson.

“They would still have to make the application, pay for the application, and then go through a public hearing,” Anderson said. In addition, the university would still be subject to Marshall’s city food and beverage tax.

Council members voted to approve the special legislation for SMSU.