MontanaHB 15069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Generally revise alcohol and gaming laws

Sponsored By: Steve Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AlcoholGambling

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New rules for alcohol license loans

Regulated lenders can take a security interest in an alcohol license and business assets. Usual loan tools like coborrowers, guarantors, and a sale contract that keeps a small stake just to secure payment are allowed. A secured party may not run the business or share profits, except to get repaid. After default, the secured party must tell the Department within 7 days and seek a transfer or place the license on nonuse. If on nonuse, the license must be transferred within 180 days, with up to 180 more days for good cause; running the business after 7 days without authority is a violation. People claiming a security interest can file their paperwork with the license number and pay a $30 fee; the Department must give at least 20 days’ notice before an order to revoke, not renew, or lapse. Owners and some third parties may make payments on institutional loans without becoming undisclosed owners if they are vetted when required, the licensee gives notice within 90 days, loans are put in writing, funds are the payer’s own or from an institutional lender, and equity payments are disclosed. The law also defines who counts as the borrower for these payment rules.

New rules for gambling owners and lenders

Owners of licensed gambling operations must notify the Department of Revenue and get approval before transferring an interest to a new, unapproved person. Transfers to another approved owner do not need prior approval but must be reported. Selling less than 5% of a publicly traded company’s interest does not need approval. Regulated lenders can take security interests in a gambling operation’s assets using standard loan documents, and that paperwork alone does not make them owners. Lenders do not have to police coborrower or guarantor paperwork; the licensee and payors must follow the notice and loan-record rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Steve Fitzpatrick
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Willis Curdy
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 289 • No: 10

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 45 • No: 5

Senate vote • 3/25/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 45 • No: 5

House vote • 2/11/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 2/10/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Chapter Number Assigned
4/7/2025House
Signed by Governor
4/7/2025House
Transmitted to Governor
3/31/2025House
Signed by President
3/31/2025Senate
Signed by Speaker
3/28/2025House
Returned from Enrolling
3/28/2025House
Sent to Enrolling
3/26/2025House
3rd Reading
3/26/2025Senate
2nd Reading
3/25/2025Senate
2nd Reading Pass Consideration
3/24/2025Senate
Committee Report
3/20/2025Senate
Committee Executive Action
3/20/2025Senate
Hearing
3/15/2025Senate
Hearing
3/7/2025Senate
Hearing Canceled
2/28/2025Senate
Hearing
2/27/2025Senate
Referred to Committee
2/20/2025Senate
1st Reading
2/12/2025Senate
Transmitted to Senate
2/11/2025House
3rd Reading
2/11/2025House
2nd Reading
2/10/2025House
Committee Report
2/5/2025House
Committee Executive Action
2/5/2025House
Fiscal Note Printed
1/16/2025House
Fiscal Note Unsigned
1/16/2025House

Bill Text

Enrolled
3/27/2025
PDF
As Amended (Version 2)
2/6/2025
PDF
Introduced
1/9/2025
PDF

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