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MontanaHB 73569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Generally revising alcohol laws

Sponsored By: Steve Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Alcohol

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Fingerprint checks for alcohol licenses

The law requires fingerprints for many alcohol license applicants and for location managers. The department uses Montana DOJ and FBI checks to decide eligibility. If the applicant is a public company, only a corporate officer and the location manager must be printed. If a business entity is the location manager, the person named under state law must be printed. No new fingerprints are required only for a change in business form if no one gains a new ownership interest. Approved applicants can reuse one background check for up to 5 years if they attest to no new criminal charges.

New definitions for beer, cider, liquor

The law updates how Montana classifies alcohol products. Beer now means a malt beverage up to 8.75% alcohol by volume, or a drink up to 14% made mostly from malted grain (at least 75% of the sugars). Drinks with caffeine or other stimulants are not “beer” and are treated as liquor. Hard cider now counts as table wine. The law also defines terms like growler, curbside pickup, and location manager.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Willis Curdy

    Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 286 • No: 10

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 2

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 96 • No: 3

House vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/1/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/15/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/14/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/14/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/12/2025Senate

  10. 2nd Reading Pass Consideration

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. Committee Report

    3/28/2025Senate

  12. Committee Executive Action

    3/28/2025Senate

  13. Hearing

    3/24/2025Senate

  14. Referred to Committee

    3/18/2025Senate

  15. 1st Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  16. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  17. 3rd Reading

    3/7/2025House

  18. 2nd Reading

    3/6/2025House

  19. Committee Report

    3/3/2025House

  20. Fiscal Note Printed

    3/3/2025House

  21. Fiscal Note Unsigned

    3/3/2025House

  22. Fiscal Note Received

    3/3/2025House

  23. Committee Executive Action

    2/28/2025House

  24. Hearing

    2/27/2025House

  25. 1st Reading

    2/25/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/14/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/25/2025

    PDF

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