Beer sales at University of Minnesota football games are a step closer to reality.

The Minnesota House on Monday, April 23, passed a liquor bill that includes a provision allowing beer to be sold at TCF Bank Stadium.

The 115-13 decision sends the conference committee report to Gov. Mark Dayton, who said he would sign it. The Senate endorsed the package overwhelmingly Friday.

Once Dayton signs the measure and the university’s Board of Regents acts, beer could be sold at the stadium, bringing in an estimated $1.5 million to $2 million in extra revenue a year for the school.

“Thank heaven,” said the bill’s chief House sponsor, Rep. Joe Atkins, DFL-Inver Grove Heights, adding that he expects the board to approve it, too.

“I’ve only been hearing ringing endorsements from the university,” Atkins said.

Under the legislative agreement, Atkins said beer could be sold in suites as well as to the public in what’s likely to be a stadium beer garden.

The beer debate at the stadium has been going on for several years.

When the stadium was built, the university planned to serve beer only to fans in the stadium’s suites.

But legislators opposed to the arrangement placed a restriction on the university’s liquor license, requiring beer be available to the public as well. At that point, the university opted not to go forward with sales.

The final package reached by Senate-House conferees includes a requirement that at least one Minnesota-brewed beer be sold at the stadium.

Dennis Lien can be reached at 651-228-5588.

Follow him at twitter.com/DennisLienPP.